UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20152016

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

 

 

LOGOLOGO

 

Commission

File Number

 

Exact Name of Registrant as

Specified in its Charter, Principal

Executive Office Address and

Telephone Number

 

State of

Incorporation

 

I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.

001-06033

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

233 South Wacker Drive,

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(872) 825-4000

 Delaware 36-2675207

001-10323

 

United Airlines, Inc.

233 South Wacker Drive,

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(872) 825-4000

 Delaware 74-2099724

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

 United Continental Holdings, Inc. Yes  x    No  ¨  
 United Airlines, Inc. Yes  x    No  ¨  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this Chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

 United Continental Holdings, Inc. Yes  x    No  ¨  
 United Airlines, Inc. Yes  x    No  ¨  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

 Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨

United Airlines, Inc.

 Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer x Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

 Yes  ¨    No  x  
 

United Airlines, Inc.

 Yes  ¨    No  x  

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of October 13, 201511, 2016 is shown below:

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

  372,810,266317,285,583 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value)

United Airlines, Inc.

  

1,000 (100% owned by United Continental Holdings, Inc.)

There is no market for United Airlines, Inc. common stock.

OMISSION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION

This combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is separately filed by United Continental Holdings, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc. United Airlines, Inc. meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format allowed under that General Instruction.


United Continental Holdings, Inc.

United Airlines, Inc.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 20152016

 

             Page         
 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

  
 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.:

  
 

Statements of Consolidated Operations

   3  
 

Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)

   4  
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   5  
 

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

   7  
 United Airlines, Inc.:  
 

Statements of Consolidated Operations

   8  
 

Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)

   9  
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   10  
 

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

   12  
 Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(United Continental Holdings, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc.)
   13  

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   2726  

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   4138  

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

   4139  
 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  

Item 1.1A.

 

Legal ProceedingsRisk Factors

   4340  

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   4341  

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

   4341  

Signatures

   4442  

Exhibit Index

   4543  


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED(UNAUDITED))

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
        2015               2014               2015               2014               2016               2015               2016               2015       

Operating revenue:

                

Passenger—Mainline

   $7,254     $7,414     $20,153     $20,410      $7,017     $7,254      $19,119     $20,153   

Passenger—Regional

   1,706      1,900      4,903      5,269      1,586      1,706      4,577      4,903   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total passenger revenue

   8,960      9,314      25,056      25,679      8,603      8,960      23,696      25,056   

Cargo

   235      237      706      678      224      235      626      706   

Other operating revenue

   1,111      1,012      3,066      3,231      1,086      1,111      3,182      3,066   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   10,306      10,563      28,828      29,588      9,913      10,306      27,504      28,828   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating expense:

                

Salaries and related costs

   2,534      2,344      7,289      6,684      2,625      2,534      7,707      7,289   

Aircraft fuel

   1,934      3,127      5,904      9,145      1,603      1,934      4,258      5,904   

Regional capacity purchase

   572      597      1,725      1,747      572      572      1,645      1,725   

Landing fees and other rent

   551      567      1,647      1,706      546      551      1,612      1,647   

Depreciation and amortization

   469      422      1,343      1,248      503      469      1,473      1,343   

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

   424      435      1,252      1,364      451      424      1,301      1,252   

Distribution expenses

   366      375      1,026      1,039      345      366      987      1,026   

Aircraft rent

   185      222      580      668      168      185      521      580   

Special charges (Note 10)

   76      43      195      264      45      76      669      195   

Other operating expenses

   1,296      1,240      3,782      3,975      1,431      1,296      3,998      3,782   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   8,407      9,372      24,743      27,840      8,289      8,407      24,171      24,743   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating income

   1,899      1,191      4,085      1,748      1,624      1,899      3,333      4,085   
                

Nonoperating income (expense):

                

Interest expense

   (164)     (186)     (504)     (559)     (150)     (164)     (466)     (504)  

Interest capitalized

   13      13      38      40      20      13      48      38   

Interest income

             16      17      14           31      16   

Miscellaneous, net (Note 10)

   (147)     (106)     (321)     (141)          (147)     (11)     (321)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (293)     (271)     (771)     (643)     (114)     (293)     (398)     (771)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income before income taxes

   1,606      920      3,314      1,105      1,510      1,606      2,935      3,314   

Income tax expense (benefit)

   (3,210)     (4)     (3,203)          545      (3,210)     1,069      (3,203)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net income

  $4,816     $924     $6,517     $1,104     $965     $4,816     $1,866     $6,517   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Earnings per share, basic

  $12.83     $2.50     $17.19     $2.98     $3.02     $12.83     $5.57     $17.19   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Earnings per share, diluted

  $12.82     $2.37     $17.15     $2.84     $3.01     $12.82     $5.57     $17.15   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

3


UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
        2015               2014               2015               2014               2016               2015               2016               2015       

Net income

   $4,816      $924     $6,517     $1,104      $965      $4,816      $1,866      $6,517   
                

Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to:

                

Fuel derivative financial instruments

   (104)     (120)     129      (95)     12      (104)     123      129   

Employee benefit plans

   (12)     (82)     18      (121)     (75)     (12)     (89)     18   

Investments and other

   (6)          (2)     (4)     (1)     (6)     (1)     (2)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (122)     (201)     145      (220)     (64)     (122)     33      145   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total comprehensive income, net

   $4,694      $723     $6,662     $884      $901      $4,694      $1,899      $6,662   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

4


UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

  (Unaudited)
September 30, 2015
   December 31, 2014   (Unaudited)
September 30, 2016
   December 31, 2015 

ASSETS

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

  $3,427     $2,002     $2,630     $3,006   

Short-term investments

   2,172      2,382      2,226      2,190   

Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2015—$18; 2014—$22)

   1,513      1,146   

Fuel hedge collateral deposits

   156      577   

Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2015—$226; 2014—$169)

   704      666   

Deferred income taxes

   1,306      591   

Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2016—$12; 2015—$18)

   1,481      1,128   

Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2016—$263; 2015—$235)

   842      738   

Prepaid expenses and other

   819      774      791      766   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   10,097      8,138      7,970      7,828   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating property and equipment:

        

Owned—

        

Flight equipment

   23,231      21,107      25,093      23,728   

Other property and equipment

   4,342      4,016      5,237      4,542   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   27,573      25,123      30,330      28,270   

Less—Accumulated depreciation and amortization

   (8,038)     (7,079)     (9,529)     (8,339)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   19,535      18,044      20,801      19,931   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
        

Purchase deposits for flight equipment

   736      706      1,068      788   
        

Capital leases—

        

Flight equipment

   1,562      1,272      1,398      1,527   

Other property and equipment

   331      331      337      332   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   1,893      1,603      1,735      1,859   

Less—Accumulated amortization

   (988)     (886)     (959)     (998)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   905      717      776      861   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   21,176      19,467      22,645      21,580   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Other assets:

        

Goodwill

   4,523      4,523      4,523      4,523   

Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2015—$1,120; 2014—$1,049)

   4,193      4,284   

Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2016—$1,212; 2015—$1,144)

   3,654      4,136   

Deferred income taxes

   846      —      863      2,037   

Restricted cash

   206      276      123      204   

Other, net

   828      665      549      553   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   10,596      9,748      9,712      11,453   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  $41,869     $37,353     $40,327     $40,861   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

(continued on next page)

5


UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

  (Unaudited)
September 30, 2015
 December 31, 2014   (Unaudited)
September 30, 2016
   December 31, 2015 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       

Current liabilities:

       

Advance ticket sales

   $4,492     $3,701      $4,558      $3,753   

Accounts payable

   2,138      1,869   

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

   2,138     2,058      2,168      2,117   

Accounts payable

   2,082     1,882   

Accrued salaries and benefits

   2,187     1,818      2,282      2,350   

Current maturities of long-term debt

   1,312     1,313      969      1,224   

Current maturities of capital leases

   137     110      124      135   

Fuel derivative instruments

   329     694           124   

Other

   811     932      1,010      842   
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 
   13,488     12,508      13,253      12,414   
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 
       

Long-term debt

   9,910     10,121      9,612      9,673   

Long-term obligations under capital leases

   762     571      752      727   
       

Other liabilities and deferred credits:

       

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

   2,796     2,879      2,743      2,826   

Postretirement benefit liability

   1,918     1,933      1,927      1,882   

Pension liability

   1,511     2,226      1,220      1,488   

Advanced purchase of miles

   1,070     1,217      574      1,010   

Deferred income taxes

   —     1,591   

Lease fair value adjustment, net

   380     466      299      359   

Other

   1,479     1,445      1,508      1,516   
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 
   9,154     11,757      8,271      9,081   
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

       

Stockholders’ equity:

       

Preferred stock

   —     —      —       —    

Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 373,729,883 and 374,525,916 shares at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively

         

Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 317,905,672 and 364,609,108 shares at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively

          

Additional capital invested

   7,941     7,721      7,974      7,946   

Retained earnings (deficit)

   2,634     (3,883)  

Retained earnings

   5,323      3,457   

Stock held in treasury, at cost

   (1,090)    (367)     (4,064)     (1,610)  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   (934)    (1,079)  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (798)     (831)  
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 
   8,555     2,396      8,439      8,966   
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 
   $41,869     $37,353      $40,327      $40,861   
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

6


UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2015   2014   2016   2015 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

        

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $4,877      $2,732      $4,884      $4,877   
    

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

        

Capital expenditures

   (1,984)     (1,345)     (2,343)     (1,984)  

Purchases of short-term and other investments

   (1,859)     (2,859)     (1,989)     (1,859)  

Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments

   2,069      2,388      1,957      2,069   

Investment in affiliates

   (130)     —   

Decrease in restricted cash

   112      79      82      112   

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

   50      73      24      50   

Other, net

   23      34   

Investment in and loans to affiliates

   (8)     (130)  

Other

   (5)     23   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (1,719)     (1,630)     (2,282)     (1,719)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
    

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

        

Repurchases of common stock

   (2,442)     (710)  

Payments of long-term debt

   (1,528)     (2,001)     (911)     (1,528)  

Repurchases of common stock

   (710)     (220)  

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

   613      1,177      510      613   

Principal payments under capital leases

   (80)     (81)     (95)     (80)  

Other, net

   (28)     (80)     (40)     (28)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

   (1,733)     (1,205)     (2,978)     (1,733)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   1,425      (103)  

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (376)     1,425   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

   2,002      3,220      3,006      2,002   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

  $3,427     $3,117     $2,630     $3,427   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
    

Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:

        

Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt

  $797     $757     $115     $797   

Airport construction financing

   68        

Operating lease conversions to capital lease

   12      285   

Exchanges of certain convertible notes for common stock

   201      202      —      201   

Operating lease conversions to capital lease

   285        

Airport construction financing

        14   

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

7


UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2015   2014   2015   2014   2016   2015   2016   2015 

Operating revenue:

                

Passenger—Mainline

  $7,254     $7,414     $20,153     $20,410     $7,017     $7,254     $19,119     $20,153   

Passenger—Regional

   1,706      1,900      4,903      5,269      1,586      1,706      4,577      4,903   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total passenger revenue

   8,960      9,314      25,056      25,679      8,603      8,960      23,696      25,056   

Cargo

   235      237      706      678      224      235      626      706   

Other operating revenue

   1,111      1,012      3,066      3,231      1,086      1,111      3,182      3,066   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   10,306      10,563      28,828      29,588      9,913      10,306      27,504      28,828   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating expense:

                

Salaries and related costs

   2,534      2,344      7,289      6,684      2,625      2,534      7,707      7,289   

Aircraft fuel

   1,934      3,127      5,904      9,145      1,603      1,934      4,258      5,904   

Regional capacity purchase

   572      597      1,725      1,747      572      572      1,645      1,725   

Landing fees and other rent

   551      567      1,647      1,706      546      551      1,612      1,647   

Depreciation and amortization

   469      422      1,343      1,248      503      469      1,473      1,343   

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

   424      435      1,252      1,364      451      424      1,301      1,252   

Distribution expenses

   366      375      1,026      1,039      345      366      987      1,026   

Aircraft rent

   185      222      580      668      168      185      521      580   

Special charges (Note 10)

   76      43      195      264      45      76      669      195   

Other operating expenses

   1,295      1,245      3,780      3,972      1,431      1,295      3,997      3,780   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   8,406      9,377      24,741      27,837      8,289      8,406      24,170      24,741   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating income

   1,900      1,186      4,087      1,751      1,624      1,900      3,334      4,087   
                

Nonoperating income (expense):

                

Interest expense

   (164)     (187)     (504)     (564)     (150)     (164)     (466)     (504)  

Interest capitalized

   13      13      38      40      20      13      48      38   

Interest income

             16      17      14           31      16   

Miscellaneous, net (Note 10)

   (147)     (91)     (322)     (121)          (147)     (11)     (322)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (293)     (257)     (772)     (628)     (114)     (293)     (398)     (772)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income before income taxes

   1,607      929      3,315      1,123      1,510      1,607      2,936      3,315   

Income tax expense (benefit)

   (3,169)     (4)     (3,163)          545      (3,169)     1,069      (3,163)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net income

  $4,776     $933     $6,478     $1,122     $965     $4,776     $1,867     $6,478   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

8


UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2015   2014   2015   2014   2016   2015   2016   2015 

Net income

   $4,776     $933     $6,478     $1,122     $965     $4,776     $1,867     $6,478   
                

Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to:

                

Fuel derivative financial instruments

   (104)     (120)     129      (95)     12      (104)     123      129   

Employee benefit plans

   (12)     (82)     18      (121)     (75)     (12)     (89)     18   

Investments and other

   (6)          (1)     (4)     (1)     (6)     (1)     (1)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   (122)     (201)     146      (220)     (64)     (122)     33      146   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total comprehensive income, net

  $4,654     $732     $6,624     $902     $901     $4,654     $1,900     $6,624   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

9


UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

   (Unaudited)     
   September 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $3,421      $1,996   

Short-term investments

   2,172      2,382   

Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2015—$18;
2014—$22)

   1,513      1,146   

Fuel hedge collateral deposits

   156      577   

Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance
(2015—$226; 2014—$169)

   704      666   

Deferred income taxes

   1,304      591   

Prepaid expenses and other

   867      823   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   10,137      8,181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating property and equipment:

    

Owned—

    

Flight equipment

   23,231      21,107   

Other property and equipment

   4,342      4,016   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   27,573      25,123   

Less—Accumulated depreciation and amortization

   (8,038)     (7,079)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   19,535      18,044   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
    

Purchase deposits for flight equipment

   736      706   
    

Capital leases—

    

Flight equipment

   1,562      1,272   

Other property and equipment

   331      331   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,893      1,603   

Less—Accumulated amortization

   (988)     (886)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   905      717   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   21,176      19,467   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other assets:

    

Goodwill

   4,523      4,523   

Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2015—$1,120; 2014—$1,049)

   4,193      4,284   

Deferred income taxes

   807      —   

Restricted cash

   206      276   

Other, net

   828      1,377   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   10,557      10,460   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $41,870      $38,108   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

   (Unaudited)     
   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $2,624      $3,000   

Short-term investments

   2,226      2,190   

Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2016—$12;

2015—$18)

   1,481      1,128   

Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance

(2016—$263; 2015—$235)

   842      738   

Prepaid expenses and other

   840      813   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   8,013      7,869   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating property and equipment:

    

Owned—

    

Flight equipment

   25,093      23,728   

Other property and equipment

   5,237      4,542   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   30,330      28,270   

Less—Accumulated depreciation and amortization

   (9,529)     (8,339)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   20,801      19,931   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
    

Purchase deposits for flight equipment

   1,068      788   
    

Capital leases—

    

Flight equipment

   1,398      1,527   

Other property and equipment

   337      332   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,735      1,859   

Less—Accumulated amortization

   (959)     (998)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   776      861   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   22,645      21,580   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other assets:

    

Goodwill

   4,523      4,523   

Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2016—$1,212; 2015—$1,144)

   3,654      4,136   

Deferred income taxes

   821      1,995   

Restricted cash

   123      204   

Other, net

   549      554   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   9,670      11,412   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $40,328      $40,861   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(continued on next page)

10


UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

  (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)     
  September 30, 2015   December 31, 2014   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY                

Current liabilities:

        

Advance ticket sales

   $4,492      $3,701      $4,558      $3,753   

Accounts payable

   2,143      1,874   

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

   2,138      2,058      2,168      2,117   

Accounts payable

   2,086      1,886   

Accrued salaries and benefits

   2,187      1,818      2,282      2,350   

Current maturities of long-term debt

   1,312      1,313      969      1,224   

Current maturities of capital leases

   137      110      124      135   

Fuel derivative instruments

   329      694           124   

Other

   811      933      1,009      840   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   13,492      12,513      13,257      12,417   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
        

Long-term debt

   9,910      10,120      9,612      9,673   

Long-term obligations under capital leases

   762      571      752      727   
        

Other liabilities and deferred credits:

        

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

   2,796      2,879      2,743      2,826   

Postretirement benefit liability

   1,918      1,933      1,927      1,882   

Pension liability

   1,511      2,226      1,220      1,488   

Advanced purchase of miles

   1,070      1,217      574      1,010   

Deferred income taxes

   —      1,591   

Lease fair value adjustment, net

   380      466      299      359   

Other

   1,479      1,957      1,509      1,516   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   9,154      12,269      8,272      9,081   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

        

Stockholder’s equity:

        

Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,000 shares at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014

   —      —   

Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,000 shares at both September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015

   —      —   

Additional capital invested

   6,652      7,347      3,718      6,138   

Retained earnings (deficit)

   2,850      (3,628)  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   (933)     (1,079)  

Retained earnings

   5,540      3,673   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (798)     (831)  

Receivable from related parties

   (17)     (5)     (25)     (17)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   8,552      2,635      8,435      8,963   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   $41,870      $38,108      $40,328      $40,861   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

11


UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

  Nine Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2015   2014   2016   2015 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

        

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $4,866      $2,623      $4,878      $4,866   
    

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

        

Capital expenditures

   (1,984)     (1,345)     (2,343)     (1,984)  

Purchases of short-term investments and other investments

   (1,859)     (2,859)     (1,989)     (1,859)  

Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments

   2,069      2,388      1,957      2,069   

Investment in affiliates

   (130)     —   

Decrease in restricted cash

   112      79      82      112   

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

   50      73      24      50   

Other, net

   23      34   

Investment in and loans to affiliates

   (8)     (130)  

Other

   (5)     23   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (1,719)     (1,630)     (2,282)     (1,719)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
    

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

        

Dividend to UAL

   (2,442)     (709)  

Payments of long-term debt

   (1,528)     (2,001)     (911)     (1,528)  

Dividend to UAL

   (709)     (120)  

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

   613      1,177      510      613   

Principal payments under capital leases

   (80)     (81)     (95)     (80)  

Other, net

   (18)     (71)     (34)     (18)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

   (1,722)     (1,096)     (2,972)     (1,722)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   1,425      (103)  

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (376)     1,425   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

   1,996      3,214      3,000      1,996   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

   $3,421      $3,111      $2,624      $3,421   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
    

Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:

        

Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt

   $797      $757      $115      $797   

Airport construction financing

   68        

Operating lease conversions to capital lease

   285           12      285   

Airport construction financing

        14   

Transfer of UAL subsidiaries to United

   —      186   

Conversion of convertible notes to UAL common stock

   —      156   

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

12


UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL” or the “Company”) is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United, including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United’s operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL’s revenues and operating expenses. In addition, United comprises approximately the entire balance of UAL’s assets, liabilities and operating cash flows. When appropriate, UAL and United are named specifically for their individual contractual obligations and related disclosures and any significant differences between the operations and results of UAL and United are separately disclosed and explained. We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.

The UAL and United unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements shown here have been prepared as required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Some information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements that comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the SEC. The financial statements include all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments and other adjustments, which are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The UAL and United financial statements should be read together with the information included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the “2014 Annual Report”).2015. The Company’s quarterly financial data is subject to seasonal fluctuations and historically its second and third quarter financial results, which reflect higher travel demand, are better than its first and fourth quarter financial results.

NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANTRECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING POLICIESSTANDARDS

Recently Issued Accounting Standards.The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 606,Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This amendment prescribes that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendment supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605,Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Accounting Standards Codification, and is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Under the new standard, certain airline ancillary fees directly related to passenger revenue tickets, such as airline change fees and baggage fees, are likely to no longer be considered distinct performance obligations separate from the passenger travel component. In addition, the change fees which were previously recognized when received, will likely be recognized when transportation is provided. The Company is evaluating other possible impacts on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 842,Leases(“Topic 842”). The guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date and recognize expenses on their income statements similar to the current Topic 840,Leases. It is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. Lessees and lessors are required to adopt Topic 842 using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at or commencing after the date of initial application with an option to use certain practical expedients. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and believes this standard will have a significant impact on its consolidated balance sheets.

In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards UpdateNo. 2016-09,Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting(“ASU2016-09”).The update requires excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies, which arise due to differences between the measure of compensation expense and the amount deductible for tax purposes, to be recorded directly through earnings as a component of income tax expense. Under current GAAP, these differences are generally recorded in additional paid-in capital and thus have no impact on net income. The change in treatment of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies will also impact the computation of diluted earnings per share, and the cash flows associated with those items will be classified as

operating activities on the condensed statements of consolidated cash flows. Additionally, entities will be permitted to make an accounting policy election for the impact of forfeitures on the recognition of expense for share-based payment awards. Forfeitures can be estimated, as required under current GAAP, or recognized when they occur. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU2016-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards UpdateNo. 2016-15,Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments(“ASU2016-15”). The update amends the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 230,Statement of Cash Flows, and clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice related to eight specific cash flow issues. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU2016-15 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03,Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This standard amends existing guidance to require the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, but early adoption is permitted. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had approximately $180 million of unamortized debt issuance costs recorded as an asset on its balance sheet included under the caption Other, net. The Company will reclassify the unamortized debt issuance costs and present debt net of those unamortized costs on its balance sheet upon adoption of this standard.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-07,Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent).Under the standard, investments for which fair value is measured at net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient will no longer be categorized in the fair value hierarchy. It is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, but early adoption is permitted.The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2016. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had approximately $200$202 million of such investments as part of its Short-term investments balance sheet total. In addition, pension plan investments measured at net asset valueNAV per share if any, will no longer be categorized within the fair value hierarchy beginning withhierarchy. As of September 30, 2016, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2015.Company had approximately $1.9 billion of such investments.

13


NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The table below represents the computationcomputations of UAL’s basic and diluted earnings per share amounts and theare set forth below (in millions, except per share amounts):

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 

Basic earnings per share:

        

Earnings available to common stockholders

   $965      $4,816      $1,866      $6,517   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

   320      375      335      379   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share, basic

   $3.02      $12.83      $5.57      $17.19   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

        

Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities

   $965      $4,816      $1,866      $6,517   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted shares outstanding:

        

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

   320      375      335      379   

Effect of employee stock awards

             —        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

   321      376      335      380   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share, diluted

   $3.01      $12.82      $5.57      $17.15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The number of antidilutive securities that have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share amounts because they were antidilutive (in millions, except per share amounts):

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 

Basic earnings per share:

        

Earnings available to common stockholders

   $4,816      $924      $6,517      $1,104   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

   375      370      379      370   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share, basic

   $12.83      $2.50      $17.19      $2.98   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

        

Earnings available to common stockholders

   $4,816      $924      $6,517      $1,104   

Effect of convertible notes

   —           —      20   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities

   $4,816      $931      $6,517      $1,124   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted shares outstanding:

        

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

   375      370      379      370   

Effect of convertible notes

   —      22      —      24   

Effect of employee stock awards

                    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

   376      393      380      395   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share, diluted

   $12.82      $2.37      $17.15      $2.84   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts:

        

Restricted stock and stock options

        1          1  

was not material. In January 2015, the holders of substantially all of the remaining $202 million principal amount of United’s 4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015 (the “4.5% Convertible Notes”) exercised their conversion option resulting in the issuance of 11 million shares of UAL common stock. There is no convertible debt outstanding as ofthree and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

In 2014, UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to acquire up to $1 billion of UAL’s common stock (the “2014 Program”). On July 21, 2015, UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a new $3 billion share repurchase program, which the Company expects to complete by December 31, 2017 (the “2015 Program”).2016, UAL spent $262repurchased 5 million and $712 million to repurchase approximately 4.6 million and 11.948 million shares of UAL common stock in open market transactions, in the threerespectively, for $255 million and nine months ended September 30, 2015,$2.4 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had completed purchases under the 2014 Program and had $2.97approximately $2 billion remaining to spendpurchase shares under the 2015 Program. On October 22, 2015, UAL expects to enter into agreements under which it will repurchase approximately $300 million of shares of UAL common stock through an acceleratedits existing share repurchase program. The specific number of shares that UAL expects ultimately to repurchase under this accelerated share repurchase program will be determined based on a calculation period not to exceed approximately three months.authority. UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. UAL will repurchase shares of UAL common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time. See Part II, Item 2, “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.

14


NOTE 3 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The tables below present the components of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”) (in millions):

 

       Deferred Taxes   
UAL (a) Pension and
Other
Postretirement
Liabilities
 Fuel
Derivative
Contracts
 Investments
and Other
 Pension and
Other
Postretirement
Liabilities
 Fuel
Derivative
Contracts
 Total 

Balance at June 30, 2016

  $(385)    $(41)    $    $(146)    $(165)    $(734)  

Changes in value

  (124)    (6)    (2)    45         (85)  

Amounts reclassified to earnings

      24         (2)    (8)    21   
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net change

  (118)    18     (1)    43     (6)    (64)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2016

  $(503)    $(23)    $    $(103)    $(171) (b)   $(798)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

  $(363)    $(215)    $    $(154)    $(102)    $(831)  

Changes in value

  (157)    (5)    (2)    57         (105)  

Amounts reclassified to earnings

  17     197         (6)    (71)    138   
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net change

  (140)    192     (1)    51     (69)    33   
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2016

  $(503)    $(23)    $    $(103)    $(171) (b)   $(798)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
       Deferred Taxes   
UAL (a) Pension and
Other
Postretirement
Liabilities
 Derivative
Contracts
 Investments
and Other
 Pension and
Other
Postretirement
Deferred
Taxes
 Derivative
Contracts
Deferred
Taxes
 Total  Pension and
Other
Postretirement
Liabilities
 Fuel
Derivative
Contracts
 Investments
and Other
 Pension and
Other
Postretirement
Liabilities
 Fuel
Derivative
Contracts
 Total 

Balance at June 30, 2015

  $(442)    $(266)    $11     $(115)    $—     $(812)    $(442)    $(266)    $11     $(115)    $— (c)   $(812)  

Changes in value

  (10)    (181)    (6)    (1)    82     (116)    (10)    (181)    (6)    (1)    82     (116)  

Amounts reclassified to earnings

      150     —     (9)    (155)    (6)        150     —     (9)    (155)    (6)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net change

  (2)    (31)    (6)    (10)    (73)    (122)    (2)    (31)    (6)    (10)    (73)    (122)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2015

  $(444)    $(297)    $    $(125)    $(73)    $(934)    $(444)    $(297)     $    $(125)    $(73)    $(934)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

  $(472)    $(499)    $    $(115)    $— (b)   $(1,079)    $(472)    $(499)    $    $(115)    $— (c)   $(1,079)  

Changes in value

      (227)    (1)    (1)    82     (144)        (227)    (1)    (1)    82     (144)  

Amounts reclassified to earnings

  25     429     (1)    (9)    (155)    289     25     429     (1)    (9)    (155)    289   
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net change

  28     202     (2)    (10)    (73)    145     28     202     (2)    (10)    (73)    145   
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2015

  $(444)    $(297)    $    $(125)    $(73)    $(934)    $(444)    $(297)    $    $(125)    $(73)    $(934)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
UAL (a) Pension and
Other
Postretirement
Liabilities
 Derivative
Contracts
 Investments
and Other
 Pension and
Other
Postretirement
Deferred
Taxes
 Derivative
Contracts
Deferred
Taxes
 Total 

Balance at June 30, 2014

  $660     $36     $    $(115)    $—     $589   

Changes in value (c)

  (66)    (120)        —     —     (183)  

Amounts reclassified to earnings (c)

  (16)    —     (2)    —     —     (18)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net change

  (82)    (120)        —     —     (201)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

  $578     $(84)    $    $(115)    $—     $388   
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

  $699     $11     $13     $(115)    $—     $608   

Changes in value (c)

  (71)    (99)        —     —     (166)  

Amounts reclassified to earnings (c)

  (50)        (8)    —     —     (54)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net change

  (121)    (95)    (4)    —     —     (220)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

  $578     $(84)    $    $(115)    $—     $388   
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Details about AOCI Components

  Amount Reclassified
from AOCI to Income
   Affected Line Item in
the Statements of
Consolidated Operations
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    
   2015   2014   2015   2014    
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges          

Fuel contracts-reclassifications of (gains) losses into earnings

   $        150       $            —       $        429       $        4      Aircraft fuel
Amortization of pension and post-retirement items          

Amortization of unrecognized (gains) losses and prior service cost (credit) (d)

   8       (16)     25       (50)     Salaries and related costs
Investments and other          

Available for sale securities-reclassifications of gains into earnings

   —       (2)     (1)      (8)     Miscellaneous, net

Details about AOCI Components

  Amount Reclassified
from AOCI to Income
   Affected Line Item in
the Statements of
Consolidated  Operations
 
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     
   2016   2015   2016   2015     
Fuel derivative contracts          

Reclassifications of losses into earnings

    $        24        $        150        $        197        $        429       Aircraft fuel  
Pension and other postretirement liabilities          

Amortization of unrecognized losses and prior service cost (credit) (d)

   6       8       17       25       Salaries and related costs  
Investments and other          

Available-for-sale securities-reclassifications of gains into earnings

   1       —       1       (1)       Miscellaneous, net  

 

 

(a) UAL and United amounts are substantially the same except for an additional gainsgain related to investments and other of $1 million at United for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

(b) Includes deferred income tax expense of $180 million that will remain in AOCI until all fuel derivatives which are designated for hedge accounting are settled.

(c) Deferred tax balance was offset by the Company’s valuation allowance.

(c) Income tax expense for these items was offset by the Company’s valuation allowance.

(d) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).

Prior to the release of the valuation allowance in the third quarter of 2015, the Company recorded $180 million of deferred income tax expense adjustments in AOCI related to losses on fuel hedges designated for hedge accounting. This deferred income tax expense of $180 million will remain in AOCI until all fuel derivatives which are designated for hedge accounting are settled. Currently, our fuel hedges that are designated for hedge accounting have settlement dates through December 2016. If we do not enter into and designate additional fuel derivative contracts for hedge accounting by the end of 2016, a non-cash income tax expense of $180 million will be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2016.

15


NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES

The Company’s incomeeffective tax benefit was $3.2 billionrate for both the third quarter of 2015three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. This compares to an income tax benefit2016 was 36% which represented a blend of $4 million infederal, state and foreign taxes and the third quarterimpact of 2014 and a $1 million tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. A discrete tax benefit of $3.1 billion for the reduction to the U.S. net federal deferred tax asset valuation allowance and an approximately $100 million tax benefit related to a reduction to the net state deferred tax asset valuation allowance was included in the income tax benefit for the third quarter of 2015 and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

certain nondeductible items. During 2015, the Company recorded a pre-tax profit of $3.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2015, after considering all positive and negative evidence, and the four sources of taxable income, the Company concluded that its deferred income tax assets aretaxes would more likely than not to be realized. In evaluating the likelihood of utilizing the Company’s net federal and state deferred tax assets, the significant relevant factors that the Company considered are: (1) its recent history and forecasted profitability; (2) growth in the U.S. and global economies; and (3) future impact of taxable temporary differences. Therefore, theThe Company released almostsubstantially all of its valuation allowance in the third quarter of 2015, resultingwhich resulted in a $3.2 billion benefit in its provision for income taxes. Additionally, during the current year, the Company expects there will be other reductions of the U.S. federal and state valuation allowances in the normal course as the Company recognizes U.S. taxable income. This taxable income will reduce the deferred tax asset on Net Operating Losses (“NOLs”) and will result in a reduction of the valuation allowances.

The Company expects it will retain a valuation allowance of approximately $82 million against certain state and local NOLs and credit carryforwards at the end of the year. The Company expects these NOLs and credits will expire unused due to limited carryforward periods. The ability to recognize the remaining valuation allowance against these state NOLs and credits will be evaluated on a quarterly basis to determine if there are any significant events or any prudent and feasible tax planning strategies that would affect the Company’s ability to utilize these deferred tax assets.

The Company’s effective tax rates differ from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily because of the impact of changes to existing valuation allowances. The change in the effective tax rate each period is impacted by a number of factors, including the relative mix of domestic and state income tax expense in the U.S., adjustments to the valuation allowances and discrete items. After 2015, the Company anticipates its effective tax rate will be approximately 37%, which reflects a more normalized rate based upon the Company’s relative mix of domestic, foreign and state income tax expense.

NOTE 5 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. The Company’s net periodic benefit cost includes the following components (in millions):

 

   Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Service cost   $31      $24      $     $  
Interest cost   50      50      20      22   
Expected return on plan assets   (49)     (45)     —      (1)  
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)   21           (13)     (19)  
Settlement (gain) loss        (1)     —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $54      $31      $12      $  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

16


  Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement
Benefits
   Pension Benefits   Other  Postretirement
Benefits
 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2015   2014   2015   2014   2016   2015   2016   2015 
Service cost   $93      $73      $15      $14      $29      $31      $     $  
Interest cost   150      151      61      66      50      50      22      20   
Expected return on plan assets   (147)     (134)     (1)     (2)     (54)     (49)     —      —   
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)   65           (40)     (58)     19      21      (13)     (13)  
Settlement (gain) loss        (1)     —      —   
Settlement loss             —      —   
Curtailment gain   —      —      (47)     —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   $163      $97      $35      $20      $46      $54      $(34)     $12   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
  2016   2015   2016   2015 
Service cost   $84      $93      $14      $15   
Interest cost   151      150      66      61   
Expected return on plan assets   (162)     (147)     (1)     (1)  
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)   57      65      (40)     (40)  
Settlement loss             —      —   
Curtailment gain   —      —      (47)     —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   $134      $163      $(8)     $35   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, the Company contributed $800$240 million and $400 million, respectively, to its U.S. domestic tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans.

Plan Curtailments.As part of the recently ratified contract with the Association of Flight Attendants (“AFA”), the Company amended its postretirement medical plans. The amendments triggered curtailment accounting, resulting in the recognition of a one-time $47 million gain for accelerated recognition of a prior service credit in the third quarter of 2016. The Company remeasured the plans’ liabilities using an average weighted discount rate of 3.43% compared to the year-end 2015 weighted average discount rate of 4.52%. As a result of the amendments, remeasurements and curtailments, the projected benefit obligation of the plans increased by $49 million and Other comprehensive loss increased by $96 million, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation. The Company generally grants incentive compensation awards, including long-term equity based awards, during the first quarter of the calendar year.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, UAL granted share-based compensation awards pursuant to the United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan. These share-based compensation awards include approximately 0.20.4 million stock options, 0.4 million shares of restricted stock and 0.31.9 million restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that.

The stock options vest pro-ratain one-third increments over either (i) the first three years on the anniversaryanniversaries of the date of grant date.(for seven-year term options) or (ii) the fourth, fifth and sixth anniversaries of the date of grant (for ten-year term options). The restricted stock awards and the time-vested RSUs vest in one-third increments over the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. The time-vested RSUs are generally stock-settled for domestic employees and cash-settled for international employees based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The Company also granted 0.6 millionremainder of the RSUs are performance-based RSUs that willand vest based on the Company’s return on invested capital and the Company’s relative improvement in pre-tax margin for the three years ending December 31, 2017.2018. If thesethe applicable performance conditions are achieved, cash payments will be made after the end of the performance period based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The Company accounts for the performance-based RSUs as liability awards.

The table below presents information related to share-based compensation (in millions):

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months��Ended September 30, 
  2015   2014   2015   2014   2016   2015   2016   2015 

Share-based compensation expense

   $     $23      $40      $69      $23      $     $36      $40   
  September 30, 2015   December 31, 2014           September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015         

Unrecognized share-based compensation

   $48      $62          $79      $41       

Profit Sharing Plans.Substantially all employees participate in profit sharing which varies from 5% to 20%based on a percentage of pre-tax earnings, excluding special items, profit sharing expense and share-based compensation,compensation. Profit sharing percentages range from 5% to 20% depending on the work group, and in some cases at varyingprofit sharing percentages vary above and below certain pre-tax margin thresholds. Eligible U.S. co-workers in each participating work group receive a profit sharing payout using a formula based on the ratio of each qualified co-worker’s annual eligible earnings to the eligible earnings of all qualified co-workers in all domestic work groups. Eligible non-U.S. co-workers receive profit sharing based on the calculation under the U.S. profit sharing plan for management and administrative employees. Profit sharing expense is recorded as a component of Salaries and related costs in the Company’s statements of consolidated operations.

17


NOTE 6 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s financial statements (in millions):

 

  September 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
  Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
  UAL   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $3,427      $3,427      $—      $—      $2,002      $2,002      $—      $—      $    2,630     $    2,630     $—     $—     $    3,006     $    3,006     $—     $—   

Short-term investments:

                                

Corporate debt

   861      —      861      —      891      —      891      —   

Asset-backed securities

   673      —      673      —      901      —      901      —      764      —      764      —      710      —      710      —   

Corporate debt

   908      —      908      —      876      —      876      —   

Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”)

   301      —      301      —      256      —      256      —      252      —      252      —      281      —      281      —   

U.S. government and agency notes

   97      —      97      —      72      —      72      —   

Auction rate securities

   16      —      —      16      26      —      —      26      —      —      —      —           —      —        

U.S. government and agency notes

   49      —      49      —      68      —      68      —   

Other fixed income securities

   225      —      225      —      255      —      255      —   

Other fixed-income securities

   50      —      50      —      26      —      26      —   

Other investments measured at NAV (a)

   202      —      —      —      201      —      —      —   

Restricted cash

   124      124      —      —      206      206      —      —   

Enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETC”)

   26      —      —      26      28      —      —      28      23      —      —      23      26      —      —      26   

Fuel derivatives liability, net

   (312)     —      (312)     —      (717)     —      (717)     —           —           —      124      —      124      —   

Foreign currency derivatives asset, net

        —           —           —           —   

Restricted cash

   208      208      —      —      320      320      —      —   
  United 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $    3,421      $    3,421      $—      $—      $    1,996      $    1,996      $—      $—   

Short-term investments:

                

Asset-backed securities

   673      —      673      —      901      —      901      —   

Corporate debt

   908      —      908      —      876      —      876      —   

CDARS

   301      —      301      —      256      —      256      —   

Auction rate securities

   16      —      —      16      26      —      —      26   

U.S. government and agency notes

   49      —      49      —      68      —      68      —   

Other fixed income securities

   225      —      225      —      255      —      255      —   

EETC

   26      —      —      26      28      —      —      28   

Fuel derivatives liability, net

   (312)     —      (312)     —      (717)     —      (717)     —   

Foreign currency derivatives asset, net

        —           —           —           —   

Restricted cash

   208      208      —      —      320      320      —      —   

Convertible debt derivative asset

   —      —      —      —      712      —      —      712   

Convertible debt derivative option liability

   —      —      —      —      (511)     —      —      (511)  
Foreign currency derivatives liability, net        —           —      —      —      —      —   

United’s debt-related derivatives

(a) In accordance with the relevant accounting standards, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the tables above related to (a) supplemental indentures that provided that United’s convertible debt was convertible intostatement of financial position. The investments measured using NAV are shares of UAL common stock upon the termsmutual funds that invest in fixed-income instruments including bonds, debt securities, and conditions specified in the indentures,other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and (b) the embedded conversion options in United’s convertible debt that were requirednon-U.S. public- or private-sector entities. The Company can redeem its shares at any time at NAV subject to be separated and accounted for as though they were free-standing derivatives as a result of the United debt becoming convertible into the common stock of a different reporting entity. The derivatives described above related to the 4.5% Convertible Notes. Gains (losses) on these derivatives were recorded in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in United’s statements of consolidated operations. These derivatives along with their gains (losses) were reported in United’s separate financial statements and were eliminated in consolidation for UAL. In January 2015, the holders of substantially all of the remaining $202 million principal amount of the 4.5% Convertible Notes exercised their conversion option resulting in the issuance of 11 million shares of UAL common stock. The derivative assets and liabilities associated with the 4.5% Convertible Notes were settled in connection with the retirement of the related convertible debt, and the final accounting did not materially impact UAL’s or United’s statements of consolidated operations.three-day settlement period.

18


Available-for-sale investment maturities - The short-term investments shown in the table above are classified as available-for-sale. As of September 30, 2015,2016, asset-backed securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately 4033 years, corporate debt securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately sevensix years and CDARS have maturities of less than one year. U.S. government and other securities have maturities of less than one year to approximately three years. The EETC securities mature in 2019.

Derivative instruments and investments presented in the tables above have the same fair value as their carrying value. The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions):

 

   Fair Value of Debt by Fair Value Hierarchy Level 
   September 30, 2015   December 31, 2014 
   Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value   Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value 
       Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3       Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 

UAL debt

   $ 11,222      $ 11,575      $  —      $  8,437      $  3,138      $  11,434      $  12,386      $  —      $  8,568      $  3,818   

United debt

   11,222      11,575      —      8,437      3,138      11,433      12,386      —      8,568      3,818   
   Fair Value of Debt by Fair Value Hierarchy Level 
   September 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
   Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value   Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value 
       Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3       Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 

Long-term debt

   $ 10,581      $ 11,218      $  —      $  8,359      $  2,859      $  10,897      $  11,371      $  —      $  8,646      $  2,725   

Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows:

 

Description

    

Fair Value Methodology

Cash and cash equivalents    The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these assets.

Short-term investments and

Restricted cash

    Fair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments, (b) an income approach, which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts into a single present amount based on current market expectations about those future amounts when observable trading prices are not available, (c) internally-developed models of the expected future cash flows related to the securities, or (d) broker quotes obtained by third-party valuation services.

Fuel derivatives

    Derivative contracts are privately negotiated contracts and are not exchange traded. Fair value measurements are estimated with option pricing models that employ observable inputs. Inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, fuel price curves and measures of volatility, among others.
Foreign currency derivatives    Fair value is determined with a formula utilizing observable inputs. Significant inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, risk-free interest rates and forward exchange rates.

Debt

    Fair values were based on either market prices or the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing for similar liabilities.

NOTE 7 - HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Fuel Derivatives

The Company routinely hedgesmay hedge a portion of its expected aircraftfuture fuel requirements to protect against increases in the price of fuel. The Company may restructure hedges in response to market conditions prior to their original settlement dates which may result in changes in hedge coverage levels and the potential recognition of gains or losses on such hedge contracts. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had hedged approximately 23% and 17%13% of its projected fuel requirements (221(126 million gallons and 652 million gallons, respectively)gallons) for the remainder of 2015 and 2016 respectively, with commonly used financial

19


hedge instruments based on aircraft fuel or crude oil. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had fuel hedges expiring through December 2016.

As required, the Company assesses the effectiveness of each of its individual hedges on a quarterly basis. The Company also examines the effectiveness of its entire hedging program on a quarterly basis utilizing statistical analysis. This analysis involves utilizing regression and other statistical analyses that compare changes in the price of aircraft fuel to changes in the prices of the commodities used for hedging purposes.

Upon proper qualification, the Company accounts for certain fuel derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. All derivatives designated as hedges that meet certain requirements are granted hedge accounting treatment. InstrumentsThe types of instruments the Company utilizes that qualify for hedge accounting treatment typically include swaps, call options, collars (which consist of a purchased call option and a sold put option) and, four-way collars (a collar with a higher strike sold call option and a lower strike purchased put option). and other combinations of options. Generally, utilizing hedge accounting, all periodic changes in the fair value of the derivatives designated as hedges that are considered to be effective are recorded in AOCI until the underlying fuel is consumed and recorded in fuel expense. The Company is exposed to the risk that its hedges may not be effective in offsetting changes in the cost of fuel and that its hedges may not continue to qualify for hedge accounting. Hedge ineffectiveness results when the change in the fair value of the cash flow hedgederivative instrument exceeds the change in the value of the Company’s expected future cash outlay to purchase and consume fuel. To the extent that the periodic changes in the fair value of the derivatives are not effective, that ineffectiveness is classified as Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations.

The Company also uses certain combinations of derivative contracts that are economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting under GAAP. Additionally, the Company may enter into contracts at different times and later combine those contracts into structures designated for hedge accounting. As with derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting, the economic hedges and individual contracts are part of the Company’s program to mitigate the adverse financial impact of potential increases in the price of fuel. The Company records changes in the fair value of these various contracts that are not designated for hedge accounting to Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations.

If the Company settles a derivative prior to its contractual settlement date, then the cumulative gain or loss recognized in AOCI at the termination date remains in AOCI until the forecasted transaction occurs. In a situation where it becomes probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, any gains and/or losses that have been recorded to AOCI would be required to be immediately reclassified into earnings. All cash flows associated with purchasing and settling derivatives are classified as operating cash flows in the condensed statements of consolidated cash flows.

In addition to cash flow hedges, the Company from time to time enters into fair value hedges related to its aircraft fuel inventory using derivatives such as swaps and futures contracts based on aircraft fuel. Under fair value hedge accounting, the Company records changes in the fair value of both the hedging derivative and the hedged aircraft fuel inventory as fuel expense. The Company records ineffectiveness on fair value hedges as Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations. As of September 30, 2016, the Company did not have any fair value hedges.

The Company records each derivative instrument as a derivative asset or liability (on a gross basis) in its consolidated balance sheets, and, accordingly, records any related collateral on a gross basis. The table below presents the fair value amounts of fuel derivative assets and liabilities and the location of amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements.

20


The Company’s derivatives were reported in its consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions):

 

Classification

 Balance Sheet Location September 30,
2015
 December 31,
2014
  Balance Sheet Location September 30,
2016
 December 31,
2015
 

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

      

Assets:

   

Fuel contracts due within one year

 Receivables  $    $—   

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

 Other assets: Other, net      —   
  

 

  

 

 

Total assets

   $13     $—   
  

 

  

 

 

Liabilities:

      

Fuel contracts due within one year

 Fuel derivative instruments  $217     $450    Fuel derivative instruments  $    $119   

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

 Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other  —     27   

Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting

   

Liabilities:

   

Fuel contracts due within one year

 Fuel derivative instruments  $—     $  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total derivatives

   

Total liabilities

   $217     $477      $    $124   
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting

   

Assets:

   

Fuel contracts due within one year

 Receivables  $    $  

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

 Other assets: Other, net  —     —   
  

 

  

 

 

Total assets

   $    $  
  

 

  

 

 

Liabilities:

   

Fuel contracts due within one year

 Fuel derivative instruments  $112     $244   

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

 Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other  —       
  

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities

   $112     $246   
  

 

  

 

 

Total derivatives

   

Assets:

   

Fuel contracts due within one year

 Receivables  $10     $  

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

 Other assets: Other, net      —   
  

 

  

 

 

Total assets

   $17     $  
  

 

  

 

 

Liabilities:

   

Fuel contracts due within one year

 Fuel derivative instruments  $329     $694   

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

 Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other  —     29   
  

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities

   $329     $723   
  

 

  

 

 

Derivative Credit Risk and Fair Value

The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformancenon-performance by counterparties to its derivative instruments. While the Company records derivative instruments on a gross basis, the Company monitors its net derivative position with each counterparty to monitor credit risk. Based on the fair value of our fuel derivative instruments, our counterparties may require us to post collateral when the price of the underlying commodity decreases, and we may require our counterparties to provide us with collateral when the price of the underlying commodity increases. The Company posted $156 million and $577did not hold or post collateral as of September 30, 2016. The Company had on deposit $26 million of collateral with fuel derivative counterparties as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.2015. The collateral is recorded as Fuel hedge collateral depositsPrepaid expenses and other on the Company’s balance sheet.sheets.

We have master trading agreements with all of our fuel hedging counterparties that allow us to net our fuel hedge derivative positions. We have elected not to net the fair value positions recorded on our consolidated balance sheets. The following table shows the potential net fair value positions (including fuel derivatives and related collateral) had we elected to offset. The table reflects offset at the counterparty level (in millions):

 

      September 30,
2015
  December 31,
2014
 

Fuel derivative instruments

    $(238  $(209

Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other

        (30
   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Hedge derivatives liabilities, net

    $(238  $(239
   

 

 

  

 

 

 
      September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
 

Fuel derivative instruments, net of collateral

   $(4)    $(98)  

21


The following tables present the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the Company’s unaudited statements of consolidated operations (in millions):

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

 

   Amount of Loss
Recognized
in AOCI on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)
  Loss
Reclassified from
AOCI into
Fuel Expense
   Amount of Loss
Recognized in
Nonoperating income
(expense): Miscellaneous, net
(Ineffective Portion)
 
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
           2015                  2014                  2015                  2014                   2015                   2014         

Fuel contracts

   $(181  $(120  $(150  $     $     $(8
   Amount of Loss
Recognized

in AOCI on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)
   Loss
Reclassified  from
AOCI into
Fuel Expense
   Amount of Loss
Recognized in
Nonoperating income
(expense):  Miscellaneous, net
(Ineffective Portion)
 
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
           2016                   2015                   2016                   2015                   2016                   2015         

Fuel contracts

   $(6)     $(181)     $(24)     $(150)     $—      $—   

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

 

   Amount of Loss
Recognized
in AOCI on Derivatives
(Effective  Portion)
  Loss
Reclassified from
AOCI into
Fuel Expense
  Amount of Loss
Recognized in
Nonoperating income
(expense):  Miscellaneous, net
(Ineffective Portion)
 
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
           2015                  2014                  2015                  2014                  2015                   2014         

Fuel contracts

   $(227  $(99  $(429  $(4  $     $(4
   Amount of Loss
Recognized

in AOCI on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)
   Loss
Reclassified  from
AOCI into

Fuel Expense
   Amount of Loss
Recognized in
Nonoperating income
(expense): Miscellaneous, net
(Ineffective Portion)
 
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
           2016                   2015                   2016               2015                   2016                   2015         

Fuel contracts

   $(5)     $(227)     $(197)     $(429)     $—      $—   

Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting

Fuel contracts

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
           2015                  2014                  2015                  2014         

Amount of loss recognized in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net

   $(67  $(102  $(69  $(103
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
           2016                   2015                   2016                   2015         

Amount of loss recognized in Nonoperating income (expense):

Miscellaneous, net

   $—      $(67)     $—      $(69)  

Foreign Currency Derivatives

The Company generates revenues and incurs expenses in numerous foreign currencies. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates impact the Company’s results of operations through changes in the dollar value of foreign currency-denominated operating revenues and expenses. Some of the Company’s more significant foreign currency exposures include the Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, European euro, British pound and Japanese yen. At times, the Company uses derivative financial instruments, such as options, collars and forward contracts, to hedge its exposure to foreign currency. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for non-risk management purposes. At September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had foreign currency derivative contracts in place to hedge both European euro denominated sales and Japanese yen denominated sales. The notional amount of the hedges equates to 36% and 21%16% of the Company’s projected European euro denominated net cash inflows for the remainder of 20152016; and 2016, respectively.18% of the Company’s projected Japanese yen denominated net cash inflows for the remainder of 2016. Net cash relates primarily to passenger ticket sales inflows, partially offset by expenses paid in local currencies. At September 30, 2015,2016, the fair value of the Company’s foreign currency derivatives was an asseta liability of $2$1 million.

NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments.As of September 30, 2015,2016, United had firm commitments and options to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) and Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) presented in the table below:

 

22


Aircraft Type

  Number of Firm
       Commitments (a)      
 

Airbus A350-1000

   35  

Boeing 737NG/737 MAX 9

   117172  

Boeing777-300ER

   1014  

Boeing787-8/-9/-10

   33

Embraer E175

1021  
(a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.  

The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery through 2024. For the remainder of 2015,2016, United expects to take delivery of twoseven Boeing 737NG aircraft and threeone Boeing 787-9777-300ER aircraft.

As of September 30, 2015, United has secured backstop financing commitments from certain of its aircraft manufacturers for a limited number of its future aircraft deliveries, subject to certain customary conditions. Financing may be necessary to satisfy the Company’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures. See Note 9 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing.

The table below summarizes United’s commitments as of September 30, 2015,2016, which primarily relate to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and include other commitments primarily to acquire information technology services and assets. Any new firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company.

 

  (in billions)   (in billions) 

Last three months of 2015

   $                    0.6   

2016

   3.0   

Last three months of 2016

   $                    1.2   

2017

   2.3      4.5   

2018

   2.3      4.1   

2019

   3.1      3.3   

After 2019

   10.7   

2020

   2.6   

After 2020

   6.9   
  

 

   

 

 
   $22.0      $22.6   
  

 

   

 

 

As of September 30, 2016, United had $1.7 billion in financing available through EETC transactions for the financing of all of its aircraft deliveries scheduled for the remainder of 2016 and first half of 2017. See Note 9 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing. The Company has also secured backstop financing commitments from certain of its aircraft manufacturers for a limited number of its future aircraft deliveries, subject to certain customary conditions. Financing may be necessary to satisfy the Company’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures.

AircraftFacility and Other Operating Leases.During the second quarter of 2015, the Company reached an agreement with AerCap Holdings N.V., a major aircraft leasing company (“AerCap”), to lease used Airbus A319s. Eleven aircraft will be delivered over the next two years beginning in early 2016. In addition, up to 14 more aircraft may be delivered over the next five years subject to certain conditions.

In September 2015, United entered into an amendment to the capacity purchase agreement (“CPA”) with SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (“SkyWest”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc., to operate 18 new Embraer E175 aircraft under the United Express brand. SkyWest will purchase all of these 76-seat aircraft directly from the manufacturer with deliveries in 2016 and 2017.

In October 2015,2016, United also entered into an amendmentsigned a seven year lease extension through 2024 with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to the CPA with Mesa Air Group, Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc. (“Mesa”), a wholly-owned subsidiarycontinue its use of Mesa Air Group, Inc., pursuant to which Mesa will operate under the United Express brand an additional 15 new 76-seat Embraer E175 aircraft, with deliveries in 2015 and 2016. Of the 15 aircraft, United will assign its purchase obligations to Mesa with respect to 10 Embraer E175 aircraftterminals at the time of each aircraft’s delivery, subject to certain conditions. Mesa will purchase the remaining five aircraft directly from Embraer; however, United has agreed that United will, under certain conditions, purchase these five aircraft directly from Embraer.

Washington Dulles International Airport. The table below summarizes the Company’s anticipated future payments through the end of the terms of our CPAs, excluding variable pass-through costs such as fuel and landing fees, among others. In addition, the table below summarizes the Company’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under aircraftfacility operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms of more than one year and includes aircraft rent or ownership costs under CPAs, including estimated commitments under the SkyWest CPA amendment for the operation of 18 new Embraer E175 aircraft.

year.

 

23


(In millions)  Capacity Purchase
Agreements
   Aircraft Operating
Leases
   Facility and Other
Operating Leases
 

Last three months of 2015

   $                    460      $                    291   

2016

   1,836      1,322   

Last three months of 2016

   $                    200   

2017

   1,725      1,292      1,156   

2018

   1,332      1,068      1,024   

2019

   1,103      868      954   

After 2019

   5,314      3,095   

2020

   1,083   

After 2020

   7,450   
  

 

   

 

   

 

 
   $11,770      $7,936      $11,867   
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Guarantees.As of September 30, 2016, United is the guarantor of approximately $2.0$1.9 billion in aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds and interest thereon. These bonds, issued by various airport municipalities, are payable solely from rentals paid under long-term agreements with the respective governing bodies. The leasing arrangements associated with $1.5$1.4 billion of these obligations are accounted for as operating leases with the associated expense recorded on a

straight-line basis resulting in ratable accrual of the lease obligation over the expected lease term. The leasing arrangements associated with $295$376 million of these obligations are accounted for as capital leases. All of these bonds are due between 20152017 and 2038.

In the Company’s financing transactions that include loans, the Company typically agrees to reimburse lenders for any reduced returns with respect to the loans due to any change in capital requirements and, in the case of loans in which the interest rate is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), for certain other increased costs that the lenders incur in carrying these loans as a result of any change in law, subject, in most cases, to obligations of the lenders to take certain limited steps to mitigate the requirement for, or the amount of, such increased costs. At September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had $2.6$2.5 billion of floating rate debt and $124$97 million of fixed rate debt, with remaining terms of up to 12 years, that are subject to these increased cost provisions. In several financing transactions involving loans or leases from non-U.S. entities, with remaining terms of up to 12 years and an aggregate balance of $2.6 billion, the Company bears the risk of any change in tax laws that would subject loan or lease payments thereunder to non-U.S. entities to withholding taxes, subject to customary exclusions.

As of September 30, 2016, United is the guarantor of $171 million of aircraft mortgage debt issued by one of United’s regional carriers. The Company has agreements with financial institutions that process customer credit card transactionsaircraft mortgage debt is subject to similar increased cost provisions as described above for the sale of air travelCompany’s debt and other services. Under certain of the Company’s credit card processing agreements, the financial institutions in certain circumstances have the right to require that the Company maintain a reserve equal to a portion of advance ticket sales that has been processed by that financial institution, butwould potentially be responsible for whichthose costs under the Company has not yet provided the air transportation. Such financial institutions may require additional cash or other collateral reserves to be established or additional withholding of payments related to receivables collected if the Company does not maintain certain minimum levels of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short term investments (collectively, “Unrestricted Liquidity”). The Company’s current level of Unrestricted Liquidity is substantially in excess of these minimum levels.

In September 2015, United amended and extended its Merchant Services Bankcard Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”) and Paymentech LLC. Effective with the amended Merchant Services Bankcard Agreement, the Company’s $25 million restricted cash with JPMorgan was returned to United. In addition, the minimum levels of Unrestricted Liquidity that this financial institution required United to maintain were reduced.guarantees.

Labor Negotiations. As of September 30, 2015,2016, United had approximately 84,00087,500 active employees, of whom approximately 80% were represented by various U.S. labor organizations. We are

In January 2016, United’s pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International, agreed to extend their contract through January 31, 2019. Increases in the processpay and benefits resulting from new pilot agreements could activate United pilot contract clauses requiring the Company to match contract terms. In March 2016, the Company’s dispatchers, represented by the Professional Airline Flight Control Association, agreed to extend their current contract through 2021. In April 2016, the fleet service, passenger service, storekeeper and other employees represented by the Int’l Association of negotiatingMachinists and Aerospace Workers (“IAM”) ratified seven new contracts with the Company which extended the contracts through 2021. In August 2016, United’s flight attendants, represented by the AFA, ratified a five-year joint collective bargaining agreementsagreement through 2021. In September 2016, the Company reached a tentative agreement with ourthe Int’l Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “IBT”) for a six-year joint collective bargaining agreement with its technicians and flight attendants. related employees.

NOTE 9 - DEBT

As of September 30, 2015,2016, a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, principally aircraft, route authorities, airport slots and loyalty program intangible assets, was pledged under various loan and other agreements. As of September 30, 2015, the Company was2016, UAL and United were in compliance with itstheir debt covenants. As of September 30, 2015,2016, United had its entire capacity of $1.35 billion available under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s 2013 Credit and Guaranty Agreement.

24


4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015.At December 31, 2014, the remaining balance of these notes was $202 million. In January 2015, the holders of substantially all of the remaining $202 million principal amount of the 4.5% Convertible Notes exercised their conversion option resulting in the issuance of 11 million shares of UAL common stock.Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”).

6% Notes due 2026.EETCs.In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $18 million par value 6% Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) in market transactions. On April 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $303 million balance of the 2026 Notes.

6% Notes due 2028.In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $13 million par value 6% Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) in market transactions. On May 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $298 million balance of the 2028 Notes.

In the second quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a nonoperating special charge of $128 million for the extinguishment of the 2026 NotesSeptember 2016 and the 2028 Notes. The nonoperating special charge is related to the write off of unamortized non-cash debt discounts. See Note 10 of this report for additional information.

EETCs.In August 2014,June 2016, United created EETC pass-through trusts, each of which issued pass-through certificates. The proceeds of the issuance of the pass-through certificates are used to purchase equipment notes issued by United and secured by its aircraft. The Company records the debt obligation upon issuance of the equipment notes rather than upon the initial issuance of the pass-through certificates. The pass-through certificates represent fractional undivided interests in the respective pass-through trusts and are not obligations of United. The payment obligations under the equipment notes are those of United. Proceeds received from the sale of pass-through certificates are initially held by a depositary in escrow for the benefit of the certificate holders until United issues equipment notes to the trust, which purchases such notes with a portion of the escrowed funds. These escrowed funds are not guaranteed by United and are not reported as debt on our consolidated balance sheet because the proceeds held by the depositary are not United’s assets. Certain details of the pass-through trusts with proceeds received from issuance of debt in 20152016 are as follows (in millions, except stated interest rate):

 

EETC Date

  Class  Principal   Final
expected
distribution
date
   Stated
interest
rate
   Total debt
recorded as of
September 30,
2015
   Proceeds
received from
issuance of
debt in the
nine months
ended
September 30,
2015
   Remaining
proceeds from
issuance of debt
to be received
in future
periods
 

August 2014

  A   $823      September 2026     3.75%     $823      $711      $—   

August 2014

  B   238      September 2022     4.625%     238      206      —   
    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     $1,061          $1,061      $917      $—   
    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EETC Date

  

Class

  Principal   

Final expected
distribution date

  Stated
interest
rate
   Total debt
recorded
as of September 30,
2016
   Remaining
proceeds from
issuance of debt
to be received  in
future periods
 

September 2016

  AA   $          637     October 2028   2.875%       $                         —       $                     637   

September 2016

  A   283     October 2028   3.10%      —      283   

June 2016

  AA   729     July 2028   3.10%      222      507   

June 2016

  A   324     July 2028   3.45%      99      225   
    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
     $       1,973           $                      321       $                  1,652   
    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

In 2015,2016, United borrowed approximately $480$272 million aggregate principal amount from various financial institutions to finance the purchase of several aircraft delivered in 2015.2016. The notes evidencing these borrowings, which are secured by the related aircraft, mature in 2028 and have maturity dates ranging from 2025 to 2027 and interest rates comprised of the London Interbank Offered RateLIBOR plus a specified margin.

The table below presents contractual principal payments at September 30,4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015.In the first quarter of 2015, under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements in eachthe holders of substantially all of the next five calendar years (in millions):remaining $202 million principal amount of the 4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015 exercised their conversion option resulting in the issuance of 11 million shares of UAL common stock.

   UAL and United 

Last three months of 2015

   $                388   

2016

   1,213   

2017

   802   

2018

   1,339   

2019

   1,767   

After 2019

   5,687   
  

 

 

 
   $11,196   
  

 

 

 
6% Notes due 2026.In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $18 million par value 6% Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) in market transactions. On April 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $303 million balance of the 2026 Notes.

6% Notes due 2028.In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $13 million par value 6% Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) in market transactions. On May 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $298 million balance of the 2028 Notes.

25


NOTE 10 - SPECIAL ITEMS

For the three and nine months ended September 30, special items consisted of the following (in millions):

 

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

Operating:

  2015   2014   2015   2014 

Severance and benefits

   $28      $     $103      $58   

Integration-related costs

   15      28      47      79   

Costs associated with permanently grounding Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft

   —      —      —      66   

(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges

   33           45      61   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Special charges

   76      43      195      264   

Nonoperating:

        

Loss on extinguishment of debt and Venezuela currency loss

   61      —      195      21   

Income tax benefit

   —      (3)     —      (4)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating and nonoperating special charges, net of income taxes

   137     40      390      281   

Income tax valuation allowance release (Note 4)

   (3,218)     —      (3,218)     —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total special items

   $(3,081)     $40      $(2,828)     $281   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

Operating:

  2016   2015   2016   2015 

Labor agreement costs

   $14      $—      $124      $—   

Severance and benefit costs

   13      28      27      103   
Impairment of intangible asset related to Newark Liberty International Airport (“Newark”) slots   —      —      412      —   

Cleveland airport lease restructuring

   —      —      74      —   

(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges

   18      48      32      92   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Special charges

   45      76      669      195   

Nonoperating and income taxes:

        

Losses on extinguishment of debt and other

   —      61      (1)     195   

Income tax benefit related to special charges

   (16)     —      (241)     —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total special charges, net of tax

   29      137      427      390   

Income tax valuation allowance release (Note 4)

   —      (3,218)     —      (3,218)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total special items

   $29      $(3,081)     $427      $(2,828)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The fleet service, passenger service, storekeeper and other employees represented by the IAM ratified seven new contracts with the Company which extended the contracts through 2021. The Company also reached a tentative agreement with the IBT. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $61 million ($39 million net of taxes) and $171 million ($109 million net of taxes), respectively, of special charges primarily for payments to be made in conjunction with the IAM and IBT agreements described above. Also, as part of the recently ratified contract with the AFA, the Company amended two of its flight attendant postretirement medical plans. The amendments triggered curtailment accounting, resulting in the recognition of a one-time $47 million gain ($30 million net of taxes) for accelerated recognition of a prior service credit.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $13 million ($8 million net of taxes) and $27 million ($17 million net of taxes), respectively, of severance and benefit costs. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded $28 million and $103 million, respectively, of severance and benefits primarily relatedbenefit costs. The severance and benefit costs relate to a voluntary early-out program for itsthe Company’s flight attendants.attendants and other severance agreements. In 2014, more than 2,500 flight attendants elected to voluntarily separate from the Company and will receivefor a severance payment, with a maximum value of $100,000 per participant, based on years of service, with retirement dates through the end of 2016.

Integration-relatedIn April 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) announced that it will designate Newark as a Level 2 schedule-facilitated airport under the International Air Transport Association Worldwide Slot Guidelines effective October 30, 2016. The designation was associated with an updated demand and capacity analysis of Newark by the FAA. In the second quarter of 2016, the Company determined that the FAA’s action impaired the entire value of its Newark slots because the slots will no longer be the mechanism that governs take-off and landing rights. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $412 million special charge ($264 million net of taxes) to write off the intangible asset. The Newark slots served as part of the collateral for the term loans under the Company’s Credit Agreement and under the Second Amended and Restated Co-Branded Card Marketing Services Agreement with Chase Bank USA, N.A. (the “Chase Agreement”). The Credit Agreement and the Chase Agreement have been amended to remove the Newark slots as collateral with no replacement collateral required.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the City of Cleveland agreed to amend the lease, which runs through 2029, associated with certain excess airport terminal space (principally Terminal D) and related facilities at Hopkins International Airport. The Company recorded an accrual for remaining payments under the lease for facilities that the Company no longer uses and will continue to incur costs include compensation costsunder the lease without economic benefit to the Company. This liability was measured and recorded at its fair value when the Company ceased its right to use such facilities leased to it pursuant to the lease. The Company recorded a net charge of $74 million ($47 million net of taxes) related primarily to systems integrationthe amended lease.

During the three and training for employees.

nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded gains and losses on sale of assets and other special charges of $18 million ($12 million net of taxes) and $32 million ($20 million net of taxes), respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded $33$48 million and $45$92 million, respectively, for integration costs, impairment of assets and other special gains and losses.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $8 million ($5 million net of taxes) of losses due to exchange rate changes in Venezuela applicable to funds held in local currency and recorded a $9 million ($6 million net of taxes) gain on the sale of one aircraft, the impairment of several engines held for sale and discontinued internal software projects.an affiliate.

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a $61 million foreign exchange loss relatedof losses due to its cash holdings in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has maintained currency controls and fixed official exchange rates (i.e. Sistema Complementario de Administracion de Divisas (“SICAD”), and Sistema Marginal de Divisas (“SIMADI”)) for many years. Previously, airlines were permitted to use the more favorable SICAD rate (currently 13.5 Venezuelan bolivars to one U.S. dollar) if repatriating profits and for payments of local goods and services in Venezuela. During 2015, many of the payments for local goods and services have transitioned to utilizing the SIMADI rate (currently 200 Venezuelan bolivars to one U.S. dollar) or have been required to be paid in U.S. dollars. Furthermore, the Venezuelan government has not permitted the exchange and repatriations of local currency since mid-2014. As a result, the Company has decided to change the exchange rate from historical SICAD rateschanges in Venezuela applicable to a combination of SIMADI and SICAD rates based on projections of future cash payments. Including this adjustment, the Company’s resulting cash balancefunds held in Venezuelan bolivars at September 30, 2015 is approximately $15 million.

local currency. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded a charge of $134 million of losses as part of Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net due to the write-off of the unamortized non-cash debt discount related to the extinguishment of the 2026 Notes and the 2028 Notes.

During Both of the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Companycharges were recorded $58 million of severance and benefits primarily related to reductions of management and front-line employees, including from Hopkins International Airport (“Cleveland”), as part of its cost savings initiatives. The Company reduced its average daily departures from Cleveland by over 60 percent during the second quarter of 2014. The Company is currently evaluating its options regarding its long-term contractual commitments at Cleveland. The capacity reductions at Cleveland may result in further special charges, which could be significant, related to our contractual commitments.

26


During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $66 million for the permanent grounding of 21 of the Company’s Embraer ERJ 135 regional aircraft under lease through 2018, which included an accrual for remaining lease payments and an amount for maintenance return conditions. The Company decided to permanently ground these 21 Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft as a result of new Embraer E175 regional jet deliveries, the impact of pilot shortages at regional carriers and fuel prices.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $33 million for charges related primarily to the impairment of its flight equipment held for disposal associated with its Boeing 737-300 and 737-500 fleets and incurred losses on sales of aircraft and other assets and other special losses totaling $28 million.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $21 million of losses due to exchange rate changes in Venezuela applicable to funds held in local currency.Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net.

Accruals

The accrual balance for severance and benefits was $34 million as of September 30, 2016, compared to $110 million as of September 30, 2015, compared to $70 million as of September 30, 2014.2015. The severance-related accrual as of September 30, 20152016 is expected to be mostly paid through 2015.2016. The following is a reconciliation of severance accrual activity for the period:

 

   Severance and
Benefits
 

Balance at December 31, 20142015

   $                    10927   

Accrual

   10327   

Payments

   (102)(20)  
  

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 20152016

   $11034   
  

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Overview

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL” or the “Company”) is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United’s operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL’s revenues and operating expenses. In addition, United comprises approximately the entire balance of UAL’s assets, liabilities and operating cash flows. When appropriate, UAL and United are named specifically for their individual contractual obligations and related disclosures and any significant differences between the operations and results of UAL and United are separately disclosed and explained. We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.

The Company transports people and cargo through its mainline operations, which utilize jet aircraft with at least 118 seats, and regional operations, which utilize smaller aircraft that are operated under contract by United Express carriers. The Company serves virtually every major market around the world, either directly or through participation in Star Alliance®, the world’s largest airline alliance. UAL, through United and its regional carriers, operates an average of nearly 5,000more than 4,500 flights a day to 352339 airports across sixfive continents.

Third Quarter Financial Highlights

 

Third quarter 20152016 net income was $4.8 billion,$965 million, or $12.82 diluted earnings per share. Third quarter 2015 Non-GAAP net income was $1.7 billion, or $4.53$3.01 diluted earnings per share which excludes $3.1as compared to net income of $4.8 billion and diluted earnings per share of special items and $33$12.82 in the third quarter of 2015. A primary reason for the decline in net income is associated with the release of the income tax valuation allowance of $3.2 billion in the third quarter of 2015, combined with the recording of $545 million of “Hedge Program Adjustments,” consisting of $36 million of mark-to-market losses recordedincome tax expense on the pre-tax income in 2016.

27


Nonoperating expense from fuel derivative contracts settling in future periods and $69 million of prior period losses recorded in Nonoperating expense on fuel derivative contracts settled in the current period. See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information regarding special items.

Passenger revenue decreased 3.8%4.0% to $9.0$8.6 billion during the third quarter of 20152016 as compared to the third quarter of 2014.2015.

 

Third quarter 20152016 aircraft fuel cost decreased 38.2%17.1% year-over-year.

 

Unrestricted liquidity at September 30, 20152016 was $6.9$6.2 billion, including $1.35 billion of undrawn commitments under itsthe Company’s revolving credit facility.

 

On July 21, 2015, UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a new $3 billion share repurchase program, whichIn the Company expects to complete by December 31, 2017.three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, UAL spent $262repurchased 5 million to repurchase approximately 4.6and 48 million shares of UALits common stock in open market transactions, in the third quarter of 2015 under the Company’s previously announced $1respectively, for $255 million and $2.4 billion, share repurchase program and new $3 billion share repurchase program.respectively. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the Company has $2.97had approximately $2 billion remaining to spendpurchase shares under the $3 billionits existing share repurchase program. See Part II, Item 2. “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.authority.

UAL, United and Mileage Plus Holdings, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UAL and United (“MPH”) entered into a Second Amended and Restated Co-Branded Card Marketing Services Agreement (the “Co-Brand Agreement”) with Chase Bank USA, N.A. (“Chase”), pursuant to which members of the Company’s MileagePlus® loyalty program earn frequent flyer miles for making purchases using a MileagePlus® credit card issued by Chase. The Co-Brand Agreement also provides for joint marketing and other support for the MileagePlus® credit card. The Company estimates that its third quarter 2015 operating revenues increased by approximately $100 million and that its fourth quarter 2015 operating revenues will increase by approximately $100 million from the combined impact of the Co-Brand Agreement, agreements ancillary to the Co-Brand Agreement and updated assumptions for accounting purposes.

Third Quarter Operational Highlights

 

United achieved best third-quarter and best year-to-date on-time performance in its history.

Consolidated traffic increased 2.0%1.8% and consolidated capacity increased 2.1%2.0% during the third quarter of 20152016 as compared to the third quarter of 2014.2015. The Company’s load factor for the third quarter of 20152016 was 85.6%85.5%.

 

The Company took delivery of sixfour new Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, four Boeing 787-9737NG aircraft and one used Boeing 737-700Airbus A319 aircraft during the third quarter of 2015.2016.

Outlook

The Company expects full-year 20152016 consolidated capacity to increase between 1.2% and 1.4% and 1.7% year-over-year.

The Company expects full year 2015to drive $3.1 billion of incremental value by 2018. United anticipates to capture this value through benefits from improved operations by focusing on re-attracting premium customers, reducing cost per availableof irregular operations, reducing re-accommodations and improving schedule quality. In addition, the Company will introduce new products to its industry-leading existing portfolio of products such as our recently announced Polaris business class seats and enhance revenue through various MileagePlus program initiatives. Finally, the Company plans to improve its cost structure through an upgauge and slimline seat mileprogram and ongoing sensible cost management.

In the first quarter of 2016, United reached contract extensions with its pilots and dispatchers. In the second quarter, United also reached amended collective bargaining agreements with its Int’l Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (“CASM”IAM”) excluding profit sharing, third-party business expense, fuelrepresented employees. In the third quarter of 2016, United and special items to be down between 0.4%the Association of Flight Attendants (“AFA”) ratified a five-year contract covering all of its flight attendants, and 0.7% year-over-year. Full-year 2015 pre-tax marginUnited reached a tentative agreement with the Int’l Brotherhood of Teamsters (“IBT”) for a joint collective bargaining agreement with its technicians and related employees. The costs associated with the ratification of all these agreements (excluding any impact from the IBT tentative agreement) is expected to be between 11.7%add an additional approximate 2.3 points of non-fuel unit costs for full-year 2016, primarily due to the pilots’ agreement, and 12.1%, excluding special items. We are unableis expected to project CASM or pre-tax marginadd an additional approximate 1.5 to 2.0 points of non-fuel unit costs for full-year 2017, primarily due to the AFA and IAM agreements. Increases in the pay and benefits resulting from new pilot agreements could activate United pilot contract clauses requiring the Company to match contract terms. The Company cannot predict the outcome of ongoing and future negotiations with its unionized employee groups. Increases in the pay and benefits resulting from new collective bargaining agreements could have a material financial impact on a GAAP basis, as defined below, as the nature and amount of special items are not determinable at this time.Company.

Since the summer of 2014, theThe price of jet fuel declined and remains volatile. Based on projected fuel consumption in 2015,2016, a one dollar change in the price of a barrel of crude oil would change the Company’s annual fuel expense by approximately $93 million. To protect against increases in the prices of aircraft fuel, the Company routinely hedgesmay hedge a portion of its future fuel requirements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion provides an analysis of results of operations and reasons for material changes therein for the three months ended September 30, 20152016 as compared to the corresponding period in 2014.2015.

28


Third Quarter 20152016 Compared to Third Quarter 20142015

The Company recorded net income of $965 million in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to net income of $4.8 billion in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to2015. A primary reason for the decline in net income of $924 million in the third quarter of 2014. Third quarter 2015 net income reflects $3.2 billion of income tax benefits primarily due tois associated with the release of the income tax valuation allowance. Excluding special items and with Hedge Program Adjustments, the Company had net incomeallowance of $1.7$3.2 billion in the third quarter of 2015, as compared to netcombined with the recording of $545 million of income of $1.1 billiontax expense on the pre-tax income in the third quarter of 2014. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this item for additional information related to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) to Non-GAAP financial measures.2016. The Company considers a key measure of its performance to be operating income, which was $1.6 billion for the third quarter of 2016, as compared to $1.9 billion for the third quarter of 2015, as compared to $1.2a $0.3 billion for the third quarter of 2014, an approximate $0.7 billion improvementdecrease year-over-year. Significant components of the Company’s operating results for the three months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

 

  2015 2014 Increase
(Decrease)
 % Increase
(Decrease)
   2016   2015   Increase
(Decrease)
   % Increase
(Decrease)
 

Operating revenue

   $10,306    $10,563    $(257  (2.4   $9,913      $10,306      $(393)     (3.8)  

Operating expense

   8,407    9,372    (965  (10.3   8,289      8,407      (118)     (1.4)  
  

 

  

 

  

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

   

Operating income

   1,899    1,191    708    59.4     1,624      1,899      (275)     (14.5)  

Nonoperating expense

   (293  (271  22    8.1     (114)     (293)     (179)     (61.1)  

Income tax benefit

   (3,210  (4  3,206    NM  

Income tax expense (benefit)

   545      (3,210)     3,755      NM   
  

 

  

 

  

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

   

Net income

   $4,816    $924    $3,892    421.2     $965      $4,816      $(3,851)     (80.0)  
  

 

  

 

  

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

NM - Not meaningful

Certain consolidated statistical information for the Company’s operations for the three months ended September 30 is as follows:

 

   2015   2014   Increase
(Decrease)
  % Increase
(Decrease)
 

Passengers (thousands) (a)

   37,464         36,735         729    2.0  

Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”) (millions) (b)

   57,160         56,065         1,095    2.0  

Available seat miles (“ASMs”) (millions) (c)

   66,745         65,378         1,367    2.1  

Passenger load factor (d)

   85.6 %     85.8 %     (0.2) pts.    N/A  

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (“PRASM”) (cents)

   13.42          14.25         (0.83  (5.8

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents) (e)

   15.68          16.61         (0.93  (5.6

CASM (cents)

   12.60          14.34         (1.74  (12.1

Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes

   $1.87          $3.02         $(1.15  (38.1

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

   1,035          1,037         (2  (0.2

Average full-time equivalent employees

   82,400          81,900         500    0.6  

(a) The number of revenue passengers measured by each flight segment flown.

(b) The number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers.

(c) The number of seats available for passengers multiplied by the number of scheduled miles those seats are flown.

(d) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.

(e) The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.

29


Operating Revenue

The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

    2015   2014   Increase
(Decrease)
  % Change 

Passenger—Mainline

   $7,254     $7,414     $(160  (2.2

Passenger—Regional

   1,706     1,900     (194  (10.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Total passenger revenue

   8,960     9,314     (354  (3.8

Cargo

   235     237     (2  (0.8

Other operating revenue

   1,111     1,012     99    9.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  
   $10,306     $10,563     $(257  (2.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

The table below presents selected passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as third quarter year-over-year changes:

       Domestic         Pacific         Atlantic         Latin           Total
  Mainline    
     Regional       Consolidated   
Increase (decrease) from 2014 (a):              

Passenger revenue (in millions)

  $61        $(127)       $(59)       $(35)       $(160)       $(194)       $(354)     
Passenger revenue   1.7 %     (9.6)%     (3.2)%     (5.1)%     (2.2)%     (10.2)%     (3.8)%  

Average fare per passenger

   (5.9)%     (9.2)%     (5.2)%     (10.7)%     (8.3)%     (3.3)%     (5.7)%  

Yield

   (2.2)%     (10.8)%     (5.8)%     (10.6)%     (5.4)%     (2.1)%     (5.6)%  

PRASM

   (1.6)%     (11.6)%     (6.9)%     (11.6)%     (5.7)%     (1.9)%     (5.8)%  

Average stage length

   (3.5)%     3.4 %     0.9 %     0.8 %     (2.1)%     (1.4)%     0.7 %  

Passengers

   8.1 %     (0.4)%     2.2 %     6.3 %     6.6 %     (7.1)%     2.0 %  

RPMs (traffic)

   4.0 %     1.4 %     2.7 %     6.2 %     3.4 %     (8.3)%     2.0 %  
ASMs (capacity)   3.3 %     2.3 %     4.0 %     7.3 %     3.7 %     (8.5)%     2.1 %  

Passenger load factor (points)

   0.6         (0.8)        (1.1)        (0.9)        (0.2)        0.1         (0.2)     
(a)See Item 6 of the 2014 Annual Report for the definition of these statistics.

Consolidated passenger revenue in the third quarter of 2015 decreased 3.8% as compared to the year-ago period due to a decrease in consolidated yield of 5.6% year-over-year. Yields were impacted by a competitive domestic fare environment, unfavorable foreign currency results due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, international surcharge declines, travel reductions from corporate customers in the energy sector and increased industry capacity in certain regions. The decline in yields was partially offset by a 2.0% and 2.1% year-over-year increase in traffic and capacity, respectively.

Other operating revenue in the third quarter of 2015 increased $99 million, or 9.8%, as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to the impact of the amended Co-Brand Agreement with Chase.

30


Operating Expenses

The table below includes data related to the Company’s operating expenses for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

    2015   2014   Increase
(Decrease)
   % Change 

Salaries and related costs

   $2,534      $2,344      $190      8.1   

Aircraft fuel

   1,934      3,127      (1,193)     (38.2)  

Regional capacity purchase

   572      597      (25)     (4.2)  

Landing fees and other rent

   551      567      (16)     (2.8)  

Depreciation and amortization

   469      422      47      11.1   

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

   424      435      (11)     (2.5)  

Distribution expenses

   366      375      (9)     (2.4)  

Aircraft rent

   185      222      (37)     (16.7)  

Special charges

   76      43      33      NM   

Other operating expenses

   1,296      1,240      56      4.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
   $8,407      $9,372     $(965)     (10.3)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Salaries and related costs increased $190 million, or 8.1%, in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to profit sharing expense as a result of improved profitability, higher pay rates driven by new collective bargaining agreements and an increase in pension expense resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions.

Aircraft fuel expense decreased $1.2 billion, or 38.2%, year-over-year primarily due to a 38.1% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the year-ago period. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the three month period ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the year-ago period:

   (In millions)       Average price per gallon 
    2015   2014   %
Change
   2015   2014   %
Change
 
Total aircraft fuel purchase cost excluding fuel hedge impacts   $1,784      $3,127      (42.9)     $1.72      $3.02     (43.0)  
Hedge losses reported in fuel expense   (150)     —      NM      (0.15)          NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   
Fuel expense as reported   1,934      3,127      (38.2)     1.87      3.02     (38.1)  
Cash received (paid) on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting (a)   (100)          NM      (0.10)     0.01     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   
Fuel expense including all gains (losses) from settled hedges   $2,034     $3,126      (34.9)     $1.97     $3.01     (34.6)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total fuel consumption (gallons)

   1,035      1,037      (0.2)        

(a) Includes ineffectiveness gains (losses) on settled hedges and gains (losses) on settled hedges that were not designated for hedge accounting. Ineffectiveness gains (losses) and gains (losses) on hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net.

Depreciation and amortization increased $47 million, or 11.1%, in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to additions in owned property and equipment, specifically related to new aircraft and information technology assets.

Aircraft rent decreased $37 million, or 16.7%, in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to lease expirations, the purchase or capital lease conversion of several operating leased aircraft and lower lease renewal rates for certain aircraft.

31


Details of the Company’s special charges include the following for the three months ended September 30 (in millions):

   2015   2014 

Severance and benefits

  $28    $6  

Integration-related costs

   15     28  

(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges

   33     9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Special charges

  $76    $43  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Other operating expenses increased $56 million, or 4.5%, in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to technology initiatives, increased cargo volume, rate increases at various stations and increases in several other purchased services, partially offset by the discontinuance of a Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) fee.

Nonoperating Income (Expense).The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in the Company’s nonoperating income (expense) for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

   2015   2014   Increase
(Decrease)
   %
Change
 

Interest expense

   $(164)    $(186)    $(22)     (11.8)  

Interest capitalized

   13      13      —      —   

Interest income

             (3)     (37.5)  

Miscellaneous, net

   (147)     (106)     41      38.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

  $(293)    $(271)    $22      8.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Miscellaneous, net included losses of $67 million from derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting as compared to losses of $102 million in the year-ago period. The Company recorded a $61 million foreign exchange loss related to the Company’s cash holdings in Venezuela. Other foreign currency impacts were losses of approximately $20 million versus losses of approximately $1 million in the third quarters of 2015 and 2014, respectively. See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Income Taxes.See Note 4 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to income taxes.

32


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

First Nine Months 2015 Compared to First Nine Months 2014

The Company recorded net income of $6.5 billion in the first nine months of 2015 as compared to net income of $1.1 billion in the first nine months of 2014. Net income in the first nine months of 2015 reflects $3.2 billion of income tax benefits primarily due to the release of the income tax valuation allowance. Excluding special items and with Hedge Program Adjustments, the Company had net income of $3.5 billion in the first nine months of 2015 as compared to net income of $1.5 billion in the first nine months of 2014. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this item for additional information related to GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures. The Company considers a key measure of its performance to be operating income, which was $4.1 billion for the first nine months of 2015, as compared to $1.7 billion for the first nine months of 2014, an approximate $2.3 billion improvement year-over-year. Significant components of the Company’s operating results for the first nine months of 2015 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

   2015  2014  Increase
(Decrease)
  % Increase
(Decrease)
 

Operating revenue

   $28,828    $29,588    $(760  (2.6

Operating expense

   24,743    27,840    (3,097  (11.1
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating income

   4,085    1,748    2,337    133.7  

Nonoperating expense

   (771  (643  128    19.9  

Income tax expense (benefit)

   (3,203  1    (3,204  NM  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income

   $6,517    $1,104    $5,413    490.3  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

NM - Not meaningful

Certain consolidated statistical information for the Company’s operations for the nine months ended September 30 is as follows:

  2015   2014   Increase
(Decrease)
 % Increase
(Decrease)
   2016   2015   Increase
(Decrease)
   % Increase
(Decrease)
 

Passengers (thousands) (a)

   105,217          104,472          745    0.7     38,651          37,464         1,187      3.2   

RPMs (millions) (b)

   157,893          156,348          1,545    1.0  

ASMs (millions) (c)

   188,699          185,808          2,891    1.6  

Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”) (millions) (b)

   58,172          57,160         1,012      1.8   

Available seat miles (“ASMs”) (millions) (c)

   68,074          66,745         1,329      2.0   

Passenger load factor (d)

   83.7 %     84.1 %     (0.4) pts.    N/A     85.5 %      85.6 %     (0.1) pts.      N/A   

PRASM (cents)

   13.28          13.82          (0.54  (3.9

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents) (e)

   15.87          16.42          (0.55  (3.3

CASM (cents)

   13.11          14.98          (1.87  (12.5

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (“PRASM”) (cents)

   12.64          13.42         (0.78)     (5.8)  

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (“Yield”) (cents) (e)

   14.79          15.68         (0.89)     (5.7)  

Cost per available seat mile (“CASM”) (cents)

   12.18          12.60         (0.42)     (3.3)  

Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes

   $2.01          $3.09          $(1.08  (35.0   $1.52          $1.87         $(0.35)     (18.7)  

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

   2,935          2,957          (22  (0.7   1,057          1,035         22      2.1   

Average full-time equivalent employees

   82,100          82,500          (400  (0.5   85,100          82,400         2,700      3.3   

 

(a) The number of revenue passengers measured by each flight segment flown.

(b) The number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers.

(c) The number of seats available for passengers multiplied by the number of scheduled miles those seats are flown.

(d) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.

(e) The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.

Operating Revenue

The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

    2016   2015   Increase
(Decrease)
   % Change 

Passenger—Mainline

   $7,017      $7,254      $(237)     (3.3)  

Passenger—Regional

   1,586      1,706      (120)     (7.0)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total passenger revenue

   8,603      8,960      (357)     (4.0)  

Cargo

   224      235      (11)     (4.7)  

Other operating revenue

   1,086      1,111      (25)     (2.3)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
   $9,913      $10,306      $(393)     (3.8)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

The table below presents selected third quarter passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as year-over-year changes:

       Domestic         Atlantic         Pacific         Latin       Total
    Mainline    
     Regional       Consolidated   
Increase (decrease) from 2015:              

Passenger revenue (in millions)

  $(34)       $(174)       $(31)       $2         $(237)       $(120)       $(357)     
Passenger revenue   (0.9)%     (9.7)%     (2.6)%     0.3 %     (3.3)%     (7.0)%     (4.0)%  

Average fare per passenger

   (7.8)%     (8.6)%     (5.2)%     (5.1)%     (8.8)%     (3.8)%     (6.9)%  

Yield

   (3.9)%     (7.6)%     (7.5)%     (4.4)%     (5.5)%     (3.9)%     (5.7)%  

PRASM

   (4.9)%     (10.7)%     (4.1)%     (1.3)%     (5.9)%     (3.2)%     (5.8)%  

Passengers

   7.5 %     (1.1)%     2.8 %     5.7 %     6.1 %     (3.4)%     3.2 %  

RPMs (traffic)

   3.1 %     (2.3)%     5.3 %     4.9 %     2.4 %     (3.2)%     1.8 %  

ASMs (capacity)

   4.2 %     1.2 %     1.6 %     1.6 %     2.8 %     (3.9)%     2.0 %  
Passenger load factor (points)   (0.9)        (2.9)        3.1          2.7          (0.2)        0.6          (0.1)     

Consolidated passenger revenue in the third quarter of 2016 decreased $357 million, or 4.0% as compared to the year-ago period. Third-quarter 2016 consolidated PRASM decreased 5.8% compared to the third quarter of 2015. The decline in PRASM was driven by factors including a strong U.S. dollar, lower surcharges, reductions from energy-related corporate travel, and declining yields.

Operating Expenses

The table below includes data related to the Company’s operating expenses for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

    2016   2015   Increase
(Decrease)
   % Change 

Salaries and related costs

   $2,625      $2,534      $91      3.6   

Aircraft fuel

   1,603      1,934      (331)     (17.1)  

Regional capacity purchase

   572      572      —      —   

Landing fees and other rent

   546      551      (5)     (0.9)  

Depreciation and amortization

   503      469      34      7.2   

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

   451      424      27      6.4   

Distribution expenses

   345      366      (21)     (5.7)  

Aircraft rent

   168      185      (17)     (9.2)  

Special charges

   45      76      (31)     NM   

Other operating expenses

   1,431      1,296      135      10.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
   $8,289      $8,407      $(118)     (1.4)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Salaries and related costs increased $91 million, or 3.6%, in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to higher pay rates and benefit expenses driven by new and extended collective bargaining agreements, an increase in employee incentive expenses due to improvements in operational performance and a 3.3% increase in average full-time equivalent employees, partially offset by a decrease in profit sharing expense.

Aircraft fuel expense decreased $331 million, or 17.1%, year-over-year primarily due to a 18.7% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel in the third quarter of 2016 compared to the year-ago period. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the three month period ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the year-ago period:

   (In millions)       Average price per gallon 
    2016   2015   %
Change
   2016   2015   %
Change
 
Total aircraft fuel purchase cost excluding fuel hedge impacts   $1,579      $1,784      (11.5)     $1.49      $1.72      (13.4)  
Hedge losses reported in fuel expense   (24)     (150)     NM      (0.03)     (0.15)     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   
Fuel expense   $1,603      $1,934      (17.1)     $1.52      $1.87      (18.7)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total fuel consumption (gallons)

   1,057      1,035      2.1         

Regional capacity purchase was $572 million in the third quarters of 2016 and 2015. Increased aircraft rent and contractual rates were offset by a 3.9% reduction in capacity and a reduction in pass-through costs in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period.

Depreciation and amortization increased $34 million, or 7.2%, in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to additions of new aircraft, conversions of operating leases to capital leases, aircraft improvements and accelerated depreciation of certain assets related to several fleet types.

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs increased $27 million, or 6.4%, in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to the timing of maintenance events.

Other operating expenses increased $135 million, or 10.4%, in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to increases in ground handling costs and other airport operations cost, food and technology costs associated with the Company’s enhanced customer experience initiatives, rate-driven increases in personnel-related expenses, increases in marketing expenses related to the 2016 Summer Olympics and increases in other purchased services.

Details of the Company’s special charges include the following for the three months ended September 30 (in millions):

   2016   2015 

Labor agreement costs

  $14     $—   

Severance and benefit costs

   13      28   

(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges

   18      48   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Special charges

  $45     $76   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Nonoperating Income (Expense).The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in the Company’s nonoperating income (expense) for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

   2016   2015   Increase
(Decrease)
   %
Change
 

Interest expense

   $(150)     $(164)     $(14)     (8.5)  

Interest capitalized

   20      13           53.8   

Interest income

   14                180.0   

Miscellaneous, net

        (147)     (149)     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $(114)    $(293)     $(179)     (61.1)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

In the third quarter of 2016, Miscellaneous, net did not include any gains or losses from derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting as compared to losses of $67 million in the year-ago period. Foreign currency losses were approximately $4 million and $81 million in the third quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively. Third quarter 2015 foreign currency results include a $61 million loss related to the Company’s cash holdings in Venezuela. See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Income Taxes.See Notes 3 and 4 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information related to income taxes.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

First Nine Months 2016 Compared to First Nine Months 2015

The Company recorded net income of $1.9 billion in the first nine months of 2016 as compared to net income of $6.5 billion in the first nine months of 2015. A primary reason for the decline in net income is associated with the release of the income tax valuation allowance of $3.2 billion in the third quarter of 2015, combined with the recording of $1.1 billion of income tax expense on the pre-tax income in 2016. The Company considers a key measure of its performance to be operating income, which was $3.3 billion for the first nine months of 2016, as compared to $4.1 billion for the first nine months of 2015, a $0.8 billion decrease year-over-year. Significant components of the Company’s operating results for the nine months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

   2016   2015   Increase
(Decrease)
   % Increase
(Decrease)
 

Operating revenue

   $27,504      $28,828      $(1,324)     (4.6)  

Operating expense

   24,171      24,743      (572)     (2.3)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating income

   3,333      4,085      (752)     (18.4)  

Nonoperating expense

   (398)     (771)     (373)     (48.4)  

Income tax expense (benefit)

   1,069      (3,203)     4,272      NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income

   $1,866      $6,517      $(4,651)     (71.4)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

NM - Not meaningful

Certain consolidated statistical information for the Company’s operations for the nine months ended September 30 is as follows:

   2016   2015   Increase
(Decrease)
   % Increase
(Decrease)
 

Passengers (thousands) (a)

   107,154          105,217          1,937      1.8   

RPMs (millions) (b)

   158,771          157,893          878      0.6   

ASMs (millions) (c)

   191,072          188,699          2,373      1.3   

Passenger load factor (d)

   83.1 %      83.7 %      (0.6) pts.      N/A   

PRASM (cents)

   12.40          13.28          (0.88)     (6.6)  

Yield (cents) (e)

   14.92          15.87          (0.95)     (6.0)  

CASM (cents)

   12.65          13.11          (0.46)     (3.5)  
Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes   $1.45          $2.01          $(0.56)     (27.9)  

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

   2,942          2,935               0.2   

Average full-time equivalent employees

   83,600          82,100          1,500      1.8   

(a) The number of revenue passengers measured by each flight segment flown.

(b) The number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers.

(c) The number of seats available for passengers multiplied by the number of scheduled miles those seats are flown.

(d) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.

(e) The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.

Operating Revenue

The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

    2015   2014   Increase
(Decrease)
  % Change 

Passenger—Mainline

   $20,153     $20,410     $(257  (1.3

Passenger—Regional

   4,903     5,269     (366  (6.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

Total passenger revenue

   25,056     25,679     (623  (2.4

Cargo

   706     678     28    4.1  

Other operating revenue

   3,066     3,231     (165  (5.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  
   $28,828     $29,588     $(760  (2.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

33


    2016   2015   Increase
(Decrease)
   % Change 

Passenger—Mainline

   $19,119      $20,153      $(1,034)     (5.1)  

Passenger—Regional

   4,577      4,903      (326)     (6.6)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total passenger revenue

   23,696      25,056      (1,360)     (5.4)  

Cargo

   626      706      (80)     (11.3)  

Other operating revenue

   3,182      3,066      116      3.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
   $27,504      $28,828      $(1,324)     (4.6)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

The table below presents selected passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as year-over-year changes for the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014:2015:

 

       Domestic         Pacific         Atlantic         Latin       Total
  Mainline    
     Regional         Consolidated     
Increase (decrease) from 2014 (a):              

Passenger revenue (in millions)

  $102        $(236)       $(116)       $(7)       $(257)       $(366)       $(623)     
Passenger revenue   1.0 %     (6.6)%     (2.5)%     (0.3)%     (1.3)%     (6.9)%     (2.4)%  

Average fare per passenger

   (3.5)%     (7.0)%     (1.4)%     (6.0)%     (5.0)%     (1.2)%     (3.1)%  

Yield

   (0.7)%     (9.5)%     (1.9)%     (6.7)%     (3.2)%     (0.9)%     (3.3)%  

PRASM

   (1.0)%     (9.4)%     (3.2)%     (8.1)%     (3.8)%     (1.3)%     (3.9)%  

Average stage length

   (2.8)%     4.8 %     1.4 %     2.0 %     (1.3)%     (0.2)%     0.8 %  

Passengers

   4.7 %     0.5 %     (1.1)%     6.0 %     4.0 %     (5.8)%     0.7 %  

RPMs (traffic)

   1.7 %     3.3 %     (0.6)%     6.9 %     2.0 %     (6.1)%     1.0 %  
ASMs (capacity)   2.1 %     3.2 %     0.8 %     8.4 %     2.6 %     (5.8)%     1.6 %  

Passenger load factor (points)

   (0.3)        0.1         (1.1)        (1.2)        (0.4)        (0.3)        (0.4)     

(a) See Item 6 of the 2014 Annual Report for the definition of these statistics.

       Domestic         Atlantic         Pacific         Latin       Total
    Mainline    
       Regional       Consolidated   
Increase (decrease) from 2015:              

Passenger revenue (in millions)

  $(247)       $(444)       $(233)       $(110)       $(1,034)       $(326)       $(1,360)     
Passenger revenue   (2.4)%     (9.6)%     (6.9)%     (5.3)%     (5.1)%     (6.6)%     (5.4)%  

Average fare per passenger

   (7.6)%     (6.3)%     (6.5)%     (11.6)%     (9.2)%     (2.8)%     (7.1)%  

Yield

   (4.3)%     (5.8)%     (7.7)%     (11.2)%     (6.1)%     (4.0)%     (6.0)%  

PRASM

   (5.0)%     (10.0)%     (6.9)%     (9.1)%     (6.8)%     (3.6)%     (6.6)%  

Passengers

   5.6 %     (3.5)%     (0.5)%     7.1 %     4.5 %     (4.0)%     1.8 %  

RPMs (traffic)

   2.0 %     (4.1)%     0.8 %     6.7 %     1.0 %     (2.8)%     0.6 %  

ASMs (capacity)

   2.7 %     0.5 %     (0.1)%     4.3 %     1.9 %     (3.1)%     1.3 %  
Passenger load factor (points)   (0.5)        (3.6)        0.8          1.9         (0.7)        0.3          (0.6)     

Consolidated passenger revenue in the first nine months of 20152016 decreased 2.4%$1.4 billion or 5.4%, as compared to the year-ago period. For the first nine months of 2016, consolidated PRASM decreased 6.6% compared to the year-ago period. The decline in PRASM was driven by factors including a strong U.S. dollar, lower surcharges, reductions from energy-related corporate travel, and declining yields.

Cargo revenue decreased $80 million or 11.3%, in the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period due to a decrease in consolidated yield of 3.3% year-over-year. Yields were impacted by a competitive domestic fare environment, unfavorable foreign currency results due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, international surcharge declines, travel reductions from corporate customers in the energy sectorlower freight yields and increased industry capacity in certain regions. The decline in yields waslower mail volumes year-over-year, partially offset by a 1.0% and 1.6% year-over-yearan increase in traffic andfreight volumes. Freight yields were negatively impacted as air freighter competitors increased capacity respectively.in response to lower fuel prices. Another contributing factor to the year-over-year decrease was a U.S. West Coast port labor dispute that helped increase air freight results in the first quarter of 2015. The labor dispute was resolved during the first quarter of 2015.

Other operating revenue in the first nine months of 2015 decreased $1652016 increased $116 million or 5.1%3.8%, as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to a reduction in sales of aircraft fuel to a third party, partially offset by year-over-year increases in MileagePlus and ancillary revenue and the impact of the amended Co-BrandSecond Amended and Restated Co-Branded Card Marketing Services Agreement with Chase.Chase Bank USA, N.A., which became effective in the third quarter of 2015.

Operating Expenses

The table below includes data related to the Company’s operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

  2015   2014   Increase
(Decrease)
   % Change   2016   2015   Increase
(Decrease)
   % Change 

Salaries and related costs

   $7,289      $6,684      $605      9.1      $7,707      $7,289      $418      5.7   

Aircraft fuel

   5,904      9,145      (3,241)     (35.4)     4,258      5,904      (1,646)     (27.9)  

Regional capacity purchase

   1,725      1,747      (22)     (1.3)     1,645      1,725      (80)     (4.6)  

Landing fees and other rent

   1,647      1,706      (59)     (3.5)     1,612      1,647      (35)     (2.1)  

Depreciation and amortization

   1,343      1,248      95      7.6      1,473      1,343      130      9.7   

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

   1,252      1,364      (112)     (8.2)     1,301      1,252      49      3.9   

Distribution expenses

   1,026      1,039      (13)     (1.3)     987      1,026      (39)     (3.8)  

Aircraft rent

   580      668      (88)     (13.2)     521      580      (59)     (10.2)  

Special charges

   195      264      (69)     NM      669      195      474      NM   

Other operating expenses

   3,782      3,975      (193)     (4.9)     3,998      3,782      216      5.7   
  

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   
   $24,743      $27,840      $(3,097)     (11.1)     $24,171      $24,743      $(572)     (2.3)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

Salaries and related costs increased $605$418 million or 9.1%5.7%, in the first nine months of 20152016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to profit sharing accruals as a result of improved profitability, higher pay rates and benefit expenses driven by new and extended collective bargaining agreements, an increase in medicalemployee incentive expenses due to improvements in operational performance and dental costs and ana 1.8% increase in pension expense resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions, partially offset by a 0.5% reduction in the number ofaverage full-time equivalent employees.

Aircraft fuel expense decreased $3.2$1.6 billion or 35.4%27.9%, year-over-year primarily due to a 35%27.9% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel combined with a 0.7% decrease in fuel consumption in the first nine months of 20152016 compared to the

34


year-ago period. 2016 fuel expense includes the benefit of a $20 million fuel tax refund. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 as compared to the year-ago period:

 

  (In millions)       Average price per gallon   (In millions)       Average price per gallon 
  2015   2014   %
Change
   2015   2014   %
Change
   2016   2015   %
Change
   2016   2015   %
Change
 
Total aircraft fuel purchase cost excluding fuel hedge impacts   $5,475      $9,141      (40.1)     $1.87      $3.09     (39.5)     $4,061      $5,475      (25.8)     $1.38      $1.87      (26.2)  
Hedge losses reported in fuel expense   (429)     (4)     NM      (0.14)     —      NM      (197)     (429)     NM      (0.07)     (0.14)     NM   
  

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   
Fuel expense as reported   5,904      9,145      (35.4)     2.01      3.09     (35.0)  
Cash received (paid) on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting (a)   (214)     13      NM      (0.07)     —      NM   
  

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   
Fuel expense including all gains (losses) from settled hedges   $6,118      $9,132      (33.0)     $2.08      $3.09     (32.7)  
Fuel expense   $4,258     $5,904      (27.9)     $1.45      $2.01      (27.9)  
  

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

Total fuel consumption (gallons)

   2,935      2,957      (0.7)           2,942      2,935      0.2         

(a) Includes ineffectiveness gains (losses) on settled hedges and gains (losses) on settled hedges that were not designated for hedge accounting. Ineffectiveness gains (losses) and gains (losses) on hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net.

Depreciation and amortization increased $95Regional capacity purchase decreased $80 million or 7.6%4.6%, in the first nine months of 20152016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to a decrease in regional capacity and a decrease in one-time start-up and exit costs, partially offset by contractual rate increases and increases in performance incentive payments.

Depreciation and amortization increased $130 million or 9.7%, in the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to additions in owned propertyof new aircraft, conversions of operating leases to capital leases, aircraft improvements and equipment, specificallyaccelerated depreciation of certain assets related to new aircraft and information technology assets.several fleet types.

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairsrent decreased $112$59 million, or 8.2%10.2%, in the first nine months of 20152016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to a year-over-year decrease in significant aircraft engine and airframe maintenance visits as a result of the cyclical timing of these visits and a reduction of flying hours under certain power-by-the-hour engine maintenance agreements.

Aircraft rent decreased $88 million or 13.2% in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to lease expirations, the purchase or capital lease conversion of several operating leased aircraft, and lower lease renewal rates for certain aircraft.aircraft and lease expirations.

Other operating expenses increased $216 million, or 5.7%, in the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to increases in ground handling costs and other airport operations cost, food and technology costs associated with the Company’s enhanced customer experience initiatives, rate-driven increases in personnel-related expenses, increases in marketing expenses related to the 2016 Summer Olympics and increases in other purchased services.

Details of the Company’s special charges include the following for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions):

 

   2015   2014 

Severance and benefits

  $103    $58  

Integration-related costs

   47     79  

Costs associated with permanently grounding Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft

        66  

(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges

   45     61  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Special charges

  $195    $264  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2016   2015 

Impairment of intangible asset related to Newark Liberty International Airport (“Newark”) slots

  $412     $—   

Labor agreement costs

   124      —   

Cleveland airport lease restructuring

   74      —   

Severance and benefit costs

   27      103   

(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges

   32      92   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Special charges

  $669     $195   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Other operating expenses decreased $193 million, or 4.9%, in the first nine months of 2015 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to a reduction in sales of aircraft fuel to a third party and the discontinuance of a TSA fee, partially offset by increases in purchased services and personnel-related expenses.

35


Nonoperating Income (Expense).The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in the Company’s nonoperating income (expense) for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

  2015   2014   Increase
(Decrease)
   %
Change
   2016   2015   Increase
(Decrease)
   %
Change
 

Interest expense

   $(504)     $(559)     $(55)     (9.8)     $(466)     $(504)     $(38)     (7.5)  

Interest capitalized

   38      40      (2)     (5.0)     48      38      10      26.3   

Interest income

   16      17      (1)     (5.9)     31      16      15      93.8   

Miscellaneous, net

   (321)     (141)     180      127.7      (11)     (321)     (310)     (96.6)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

Total

   $(771)     $(643)     $128      19.9      $(398)     $(771)     $(373)     (48.4)  
  

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

   

Interest expense decreased $55 million, or 9.8% due toIn the prepaymentfirst nine months of certain debt issuances and declining balances of other debt, partially offset by interest expense on debt issued for the acquisition of new aircraft.

2016, Miscellaneous, net includeddid not include any gains or losses of $69 million and $103 million from derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting foras compared to losses of $69 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.year-ago period. Foreign currency losses were approximately $118$31 million and $24$118 million in the first nine months of 20152016 and 2014,2015, respectively. Foreign currency results includedinclude $8 million and $61 million of losses due to exchange rate changes in Venezuela applicable to funds held in local currency in 2016 and $212015, respectively. Miscellaneous, net for 2016 includes a $9 million gain on the sale of foreign exchange losses for 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to the Company’s cash holdings in Venezuela.an affiliate. Miscellaneous, net for the first nine months of 2015 includes a $134 million special charge related to the write off of unamortized non-cash debt discounts for the early redemption of the 6% Notes due 2026 (“2026(the “2026 Notes”) and the 6% Notes due 2028 (“2028(the “2028 Notes”). See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Income Taxes.See NoteNotes 3 and 4 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to income taxes.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Current Liquidity

As of September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had $5.6$4.9 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as compared to $4.4$5.2 billion at December 31, 2014.2015. At September 30, 2015,2016, the Company also had $208$124 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents, which is primarily collateral for performance bonds, letters of credit and estimated future workers’ compensation claims and credit card processing agreements.claims. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had its entire commitment capacity of $1.35 billion under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s 2013 Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) available for letters of credit or borrowings.

As is the case with many of our principal competitors, we have a high proportion of debt compared to capital and a deficit in working capital. We have a significant amount of fixed obligations, including debt, aircraft leases and financings, leases of airport property and other facilities, and pension funding obligations. At September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had approximately $12.1$11.5 billion of debt and capital lease obligations, including $1.4$1.1 billion that will become due in the next 12 months. In addition, we have substantial non-cancelablenoncancelable commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of new aircraft and related spare engines. As of September 30, 2015,2016, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by approximately $3.4$5.3 billion. However, approximately $6.6$6.7 billion of our current liabilities are related to our Advancedadvance ticket sales and Frequentfrequent flyer deferred revenue, both of which largely represent revenue to be recognized for travel in the near future and not actual cash outlays. The deficit in working capital does not have an adverse impact to our cash flows, liquidity or operations.

The Company will continue to evaluate opportunities to prepay its debt, including open market repurchases, to reduce its indebtedness and related interest.

As of September 30, 2015,2016, United had firm commitments and options to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) and Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) presented in the table below:

 

36


Aircraft Type

  Number of Firm
        Commitments (a)         
 

Airbus A350-1000

   35  

Boeing 737NG/737 MAX 9

   117172   

Boeing777-300ER

   1014   

Boeing787-8/-9/-10

   33

Embraer E175

1021   

 

  
(a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.  

The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery through 2024. For the remainder of 2015,2016, United expects to take delivery of twoseven Boeing 737NG aircraft and threeone Boeing 787-9777-300ER aircraft.

As of September 30, 2015,2016, UAL and United have total capital commitments primarily related to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and acquisition of information technology services and assets of approximately $22.6 billion, of which approximately $1.2 billion, $4.5 billion, $4.1 billion, $3.3 billion, $2.6 billion and $6.9 billion are due in the last three months of 2016 and for the full year for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and thereafter, respectively. Any new firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company.

As of September 30, 2016, United has $1.7 billion in financing available through enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETC”) transactions for the financing of all of its aircraft deliveries scheduled for the remainder of 2016 and first half of 2017. See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing. The Company has also secured backstop financing commitments from certain of its aircraft manufacturers for a limited number of its future aircraft deliveries, subject to certain customary conditions. Financing may be necessary to satisfy the Company’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures. See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing.

As of September 30, 2015, UAL and United have total capital commitments primarily related to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and acquisition of information technology services and assets of approximately $22.0 billion, of which approximately $0.6 billion, $3.0 billion, $2.3 billion, $2.3 billion, $3.1 billion and $10.7 billion are due in the last three months of 2015 and for the full year for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and thereafter, respectively. Any new firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company.

During the second quarter of 2015, the Company reached an agreement with AerCap Holdings N.V., a major aircraft leasing company (“AerCap”), to lease used Airbus A319s. Eleven aircraft will be delivered over the next two years beginning in early 2016. In addition, up to 14 more aircraft may be delivered over the next five years subject to certain conditions.

As of September 30, 2015, a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, principally aircraft, route authorities, airport slots and loyalty program intangible assets, was pledged under various loan and other agreements. We must sustain our profitability and/or access the capital markets to meet our significant long-term debt and capital lease obligations and future commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines.

In September 2015,2016, United entered into an amendmentagreed to a seven year lease extension through 2024 with the capacity purchase agreement (“CPA”) with SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (“SkyWest”), a wholly-owned subsidiaryMetropolitan Washington Airports Authority to continue its use of SkyWest, Inc., to operate 18 new Embraer E175 aircraft under the United Express brand. SkyWest will purchase all of these 76-seat aircraft directly from the manufacturer with deliveries in 2016 and 2017.terminals at Washington Dulles International Airport. See Note 8 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

In October 2015, United also entered into an amendment to the CPA with Mesa Air Group, Inc. and Mesa Airlines, Inc. (“Mesa”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mesa Air Group, Inc., pursuant to which Mesa will operate under the United Express brand an additional 15 new 76-seat Embraer E175 aircraft, with deliveries in 2015 and 2016. Of the 15 aircraft, United will assign its purchase obligations to Mesa with respect to 10 Embraer E175 aircraft at the time of each aircraft’s delivery, subject to certain conditions. Mesa will purchase the remaining five aircraft directly from Embraer; however, United has agreed that United will, under certain conditions, purchase these five aircraft directly from Embraer.

Credit Ratings. As of the filing date of this report, UAL and United had the following corporate credit ratings:

 

   S&P  Moody’s  Fitch
UAL  BB-  Ba3  BB-
United  BB-  *  BB-

* The credit agency does not issue corporate credit ratings for subsidiary entities.

These credit ratings are below investment grade levels. Downgrades from these rating levels, among other things, could restrict the availability or increase the cost of future financing for the Company.

37


Sources and Uses of Cash

Operating Activities.Cash flow provided by operations was $4.9 billion for both the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $4.9 billion compared to $2.7 billion in the same period in 2014. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase of $2.3 billion in operating2016 and September 30, 2015. Operating income for the first nine months ended September 30, 2015 as comparedof 2016 decreased $0.8 billion versus the year-ago period. However, operating income in 2016 was affected by the $0.4 billion non-cash impairment of the Newark slots. In regard to the same period in 2014. Other notable

year-over-year changes in operating cash flows for that period also include a net increaseworking capital items, frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of $522 millionmiles decreased by approximately $0.3 billion due to increased utilization of pre-purchased miles, which was offset by the change in payables and accrued liabilities. Other changes in working capital items were largely offsetting in the fundingfirst nine months of 2016 versus the Company’s defined benefit plans, primarily offset by other working capital changes. Additionally, the Company experienced a $421 million reductionfirst nine months of 2015. Significant cash payments in fuel hedge collateral since December 31, 2014, mostly offset by a $365 million reduction2016 included $0.7 billion in the fuel derivative liability over the same period.profit sharing and $0.4 billion in pension funding.

Investing Activities.Capital expenditures were $2.0$2.3 billion and $1.3$2.0 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 and 2014,2015, respectively. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 were primarily attributable to the purchase of aircraft, facility and fleet-related costs. In June 2015, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, we invested $100 million for an ownership stake of approximately five percent in Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras S.A., Brazil’s third-largest airline, which provides a range of customer benefits including codesharing of flights (subject to government approval), joint loyalty-program participation and expanded connection opportunities on routes between the U.S. and Brazil, a key market for United, in addition to other points in North and South America.

In addition to capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we acquired 22 aircraft through the issuance of debt. See “Financing Activities” below for additional information.

Financing Activities.During the nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, the Company made debt and capital lease payments of $1.6$1.0 billion.

In Januarythe nine months ended September 30, 2016, United completed two EETC offerings for a total principal amount of $2.0 billion. Of the $2.0 billion, United has received and recorded $321 million of proceeds as debt as of September 30, 2016. United expects to receive all proceeds from the pass-through trusts by the end of the second quarter of 2017. See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on EETC pass-through trusts.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2016, United borrowed approximately $272 million aggregate principal amount from various financial institutions to finance the purchase of several aircraft delivered in 2016. The notes evidencing these borrowings, which are secured by the related aircraft, mature in 2028 and have interest rates comprised of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a specified margin.

In the first quarter of 2015, the holders of substantially all of the remaining $202 million principal amount of United’s 4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015 exercised their conversion option resulting in the issuance of 11 million shares of UAL common stock.

In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $18 million par value 2026 Notes in market transactions. On April 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $303 million balance of the 2026 Notes.

In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $13 million par value 2028 Notes in market transactions. On May 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $298 million balance of the 2028 Notes.

In Augustthe first nine months of 2015, United issued $0.9 billion of debt related to a 2014 United completed an enhanced equipment trust certificate (“EETC”)EETC offering for a total principal amount of $1.1 billion. United has received and recorded all of the proceeds as debt. See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on EETC pass-through trusts.finance new aircraft.

In the first nine months of 2015, United borrowed approximately $480 million aggregate principal amount from various financial institutions to finance the purchase of several aircraft delivered in 2015. The notes evidencing these borrowings, which are secured by the related aircraft, have maturity dates ranging from 2025 to 2027 and interest rates comprised of the London Interbank Offered RateLIBOR plus a specified margin.

As of September 30, 2015,2016, United had its entire capacity of $1.35 billion available under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s Credit Agreement. See Note 11 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20142015 (the “2014“2015 Annual Report”) for additional information on the terms of the Credit Agreement.

The obligations of United under the Credit Agreement are secured by liens on certain international route authorities between certain specified cities, certain take-off and landing rights and related assets of United. Certain covenants in the Credit Agreement and in the Company’s indentures are summarized in Note 11 of the 20142015 Annual Report. The Company was in compliance with all of these covenants as of September 30, 2016.

Share Repurchase Program.Programs.In 2014, UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to acquire up to $1 billion of UAL’s common stock (the “2014 Program”). On July 21, 2015, UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a new $3 billion share repurchase program, which the Company expects to complete by December 31, 2017 (the “2015 Program”).three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, UAL spent $262repurchased 5 million and $712 million to repurchase approximately 4.6 million and 11.948 million shares of UAL common stock in open market transactions, in the threerespectively, for $255 million and nine months ended September 30, 2015,$2.4 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had completed

38


purchases under the 2014 Program and had $2.97approximately $2 billion remaining to spendpurchase shares under the 2015 Program. On October 22, 2015, UAL expects to enter into agreements under which it will repurchase approximately $300 million of shares of UAL common stock through an acceleratedits existing share repurchase program. The specific number of shares that UAL expects ultimately to repurchase under this accelerated share repurchase program will be determined based on a calculation period not to exceed approximately three months. authority.

UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. UAL will repurchase shares of UAL common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time. See Part II, Item 2, “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.

Commitments, Contingencies and Liquidity Matters.As described in the 20142015 Annual Report, the Company’s liquidity may be adversely impacted by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, obligations associated with fuel hedge settlements and related collateral requirements, pension funding obligations, reserve requirements associated with credit card processing agreements, guarantees, commitments and contingencies.

As of September 30, 2016, United is the guarantor of $171 million of aircraft mortgage debt issued by one of United’s regional carriers.

See the 20142015 Annual Report and Notes 5, 7, 8 and 9 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The Company evaluates its financial performance utilizing various GAAP and Non-GAAP financial measures, including net income/loss and net earnings/loss per share. The Non-GAAP financial measures in this report are presented because they provide management and investors the ability to measure and monitor the Company’s performance on a consistent basis. The Company believes that adjusting for special items is useful to investors because they are nonrecurring charges not indicative of UAL’s ongoing performance. In addition, the Company believes that reflecting Hedge Program Adjustments is useful because the adjustments allow investors to better understand the cash impact of settled fuel derivative contracts in a given period. Reconciliations of net income and diluted earnings per share to the Non-GAAP financial measures of net income and diluted earnings per share, excluding special items and reflecting Hedge Program Adjustments, for the three and nine months ended September 30 are as follows in the tables below (in millions, except per share amounts):

   Three Months Ended September 30, 
   Net Income
2015
   Diluted
Earnings per
Share 2015
   Net Income
2014
   Diluted
Earnings per
Share 2014
 

Net income—GAAP

   $4,816      $12.82      $924      $2.37   

Special items, net (a)

   (3,081)     (8.20)     40      0.10   

Mark-to-market losses from fuel derivative contracts settling in future periods

   36      0.09      95      0.24   

Prior period gains (losses) on fuel derivative contracts settled in the current period

   (69)     (0.18)     16      0.04  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income excluding special items, net and reflecting Hedge Program Adjustments—Non-GAAP

   $1,702      $4.53      $1,075      $2.75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

39


   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   Net Income
2015
   Diluted
Earnings per
Share 2015
   Net Income
2014
   Diluted
Earnings per
Share 2014
 

Net income—GAAP

   $6,517      $17.15      $1,104      $2.84   

Special items, net (a)

   (2,828)     (7.44)     281      0.71   

Mark-to-market losses from fuel derivative contracts settling in future periods

   28      0.07      57      0.15   

Prior period gains (losses) on fuel derivative contracts settled in the current period

   (173)     (0.46)     63      0.16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income excluding special items, net and reflecting Hedge Program Adjustments—Non-GAAP

   $3,544      $9.32      $1,505      $3.86   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to special items, net.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

See “Critical Accounting Policies” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 20142015 Annual Report for a discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies.

See Note 4 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to income taxes and the release of our valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax assets.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this report are forward-looking and thus reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and anticipated financial and operating performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “will,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “believes,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “goals” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties, or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to us on the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The Company’sOur actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: itsour ability to comply with the terms of itsour various financing arrangements; the costs and availability of financing; its ability to maintain adequate liquidity; itsour ability to execute itsour operational plans and revenue-generating initiatives, including optimizing its revenue; itsour ability to control itsour costs, including realizing benefits from itsour resource optimization efforts, cost reduction initiatives and fleet replacement programs; itsour ability to utilize itsour net operating losses; itsour ability to attract and retain customers; demand for transportation in the markets in which it operates;we operate; an outbreak of a disease that affects travel demand or travel behavior; demand for travel and the impact that global economic conditions have on customer travel patterns; excessive taxation and the inability to offset future taxable income; general economic conditions (including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, investment or credit market conditions, crude oil prices, costs of aircraft fuel and energy refining capacity in relevant markets); economic and political instability and other risks of doing business globally; its ability to cost-effectively hedge against increases in the price of aircraft fuel; any potential realized or unrealized gains or losses related to fuel or currency hedging programs; the effects of any hostilities, act of war or terrorist

40


attack; the ability of other air carriers with whom the Company haswe have alliances or partnerships to provide the services contemplated by the

respective arrangements with such carriers; disruptions to itsour regional network; the costs and availability of aviation and other insurance; industry consolidation or changes in airline alliances; competitive pressures on pricing and on demand; its capacity decisions and the capacity decisions of itsour competitors; U.S. or foreign governmental legislation, regulation and other actions (including open skies agreements and environmental regulations); the impact of regulatory, investigative and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks; the impact of any management changes; labor costs; itsour ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and the results of the collective bargaining agreement process with itsour union groups; any disruptions to operations due to any potential actions by itsour labor groups; weather conditions; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Part I, Item 1A., “Risk Factors” of the 20142015 Annual Report, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports the Company fileswe file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Part II, Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 20142015 Annual Report except as follows:

Aircraft Fuel.Fuel. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had hedged approximately 23% and 17%13% of its projected fuel requirements (221(126 million gallons and 652 million gallons, respectively)gallons) for the remainder of 2015 and 2016 respectively, with commonly used financial hedge instruments based on aircraft fuel or crude oil. As of September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had fuel hedges expiring through December 2016.

At September 30, 2015,2016, fuel derivatives were in a net liability position of $312$4 million. See Note 7 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to fuel hedges.

The fuel derivative portfolio is comprised of many individual derivative contracts (primarily option contracts) on multiple underlying commodities and entered into at various points in time, resulting in a wide range of strike prices with several hedge counterparties. The table below provides a view of the economic impact of the fuel derivative portfolio on the Company’s fuel costs given significant moves (up to +/+/-30%) in market fuel prices fromafter September 30, 20152016 through the end of the year (in millions).

 

(In millions, except for change in market fuel prices)

 

Period from October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015

 

Period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016

 
Period from October 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016Period from October 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 

Change in
market fuel
prices (a)

 

(Increase)
decrease to
unhedged
fuel cost (b)

 

Fuel
derivative
gain (loss) (c)

 

Net
(increase)
decrease to
fuel cost

 

(Increase)
decrease to
unhedged fuel
cost (b)

 

Fuel
derivative
gain (loss) (c)

 

Net
(increase)
decrease to
fuel cost

 

Fuel derivative
collateral
(posted)/
received (d)

   (Increase)
decrease to
unhedged
fuel cost (b)
 Fuel
derivative
gain (loss) (c)
 Net
(increase)
decrease to
fuel cost
 

30%

  $(424  $87    $(337  $(1,740  $78    $(1,662  $—      $(414  $5    $(409

20%

  (283  58    (225  (1,160  24    (1,136  (12   (276      (276

10%

  (141  29    (112  (580  5    (575  (34   (138      (138

(10)%

  141    (29  112    580    (33  547    (65   138    (13  125  

(20)%

  283    (58  225    1,160    (92  1,068    (117   276    (16  260  

(30)%

  424    (87  337    1,740    (108  1,632    (165   414    (16  398  

(a) Projected using equal shifts in spot and forward prices for aircraft fuel and crude oil underlying hedge contracts at September 30, 20152016 levels.

(b) Projections based on an average forward price of $1.48$1.43 per gallon, excluding taxes and other delivery costs and estimated consumption of 956 million gallons and 3.91.0 billion gallons for the three months ending December 31, 2015 and year ending December 31, 2016, respectively.2016.

(c) Change in projected cash gain/(loss) on existing fuel derivatives as of September 30, 2015.2016. Includes all fuel derivatives whether or not the fuel derivatives are designated for hedge accounting. Within these price ranges, the Company would neither receive nor post collateral.

(d) Projections are based on margin estimates for the entire fuel derivative portfolio as of September 30, 2015, including fuel derivatives settling in 2016.

ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures

The Company maintains controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted to the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified by the

41


SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the acting Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, including the acting Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation to conclude with reasonable assurance that UAL’s and United’s disclosure controls and procedures were designed and operating effectively to report the information each company is required to disclose in the reports they file with the SEC on a timely basis. Based on that evaluation, the acting Chief Executive Officer and the acting Chief Financial Officer of UAL and United have concluded that as of September 30, 2015,2016, disclosure controls and procedures of each of UAL and United were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting during the Quarter Ended September 30, 20152016

Except as set forth below, duringDuring the three months ended September 30, 2015,2016, there were no changes in UAL’s or United’s internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, their internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rules13a-15(f) and15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company made certain changes to its internal controls over financial reporting related to the spare parts system. The operating effectiveness of these changes to the internal controls over financial reporting will be evaluated as part of the Company’s annual assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of the end of fiscal year 2015.

42


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.1A.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.RISK FACTORS.

See Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings”1A., “Risk Factors,” of the 20142015 Annual Report and Part II, Item 1A., “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 (the “Second Quarter 2016 Form 10-Q”) for a descriptiondetailed discussion of legal proceedings.the risk factors affecting UAL and United. The disclosuredisclosures below includes an updateinclude updates to the legal proceedingscertain risk factor disclosures included in the 20142015 Annual Report, which isare in addition to, and not in lieu of, those disclosures contained in the 20142015 Annual Report.Report and the Second Quarter 2016 Form 10-Q.

Other Proceedings

On June 30, 2015, UAL received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) fromUnion disputes, employee strikes or slowdowns, and other labor-related disruptions, as well as the Antitrust Divisionintegration of the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) seeking documents and information from the CompanyUnited’s workforces in connection with the Company’s merger transaction in 2010, could adversely affect the Company’s operations and could result in increased costs that could have a DOJ investigation relatedmaterial financial impact on the Company.

United is a highly unionized company. As of September 30, 2016, the Company and its subsidiaries had approximately 87,500 active employees, of whom approximately 80% were represented by various U.S. labor organizations.

The successful integration of United’s workforces in connection with the Company’s merger transaction in 2010 and achievement of the anticipated benefits of the combined company depend in part on integrating employee groups and maintaining productive employee relations. In order to statementsfully integrate the Company’s pre-merger represented employee groups, the Company must negotiate a joint collective bargaining agreement covering each combined group. The process for integrating the labor groups is governed by a combination of the Railway Labor Act (the “RLA”), the McCaskill-Bond Amendment, and decisions about airline capacity. where applicable, the existing provisions of collective bargaining agreements and union policies. A delay in or failure to integrate employee groups presents the potential for increased operating costs and labor disputes that could adversely affect the Company’s operations.

The Company is workinghas reached joint collective bargaining agreements with all but one of its employee groups since the DOJmerger transaction in 2010. Only the Company’s technicians and has completed its response to the CID.related employees remain without a combined collective bargaining agreement. The Company is not able to predict what action, if any, might be taken in the futurehas reached a tentative agreement with its technicians and related employees for a joint collective bargaining agreement and will submit it for ratification by the DOJunion’s membership. The Company can provide no assurance that a successful or timely resolution of these labor negotiations will be achieved.

Union disputes and other governmental authoritieslabor-related actions can disrupt the Company’s operations. There is a risk that unions or individual employees might still pursue judicial or arbitral claims arising out of changes implemented as a result of the investigation. BeginningCompany’s merger transaction in 2010. There is also a possibility that employees or unions could engage in job actions such as slowdowns, work-to-rule campaigns, sick-outs or other actions designed to disrupt the Company’s normal operations, in an attempt to pressure the Company in collective bargaining negotiations. Although the RLA makes such actions unlawful until the parties have been lawfully released to self-help, and the Company can seek injunctive relief against premature self-help, such actions can cause significant harm even if ultimately enjoined. In addition, joint collective bargaining agreements with the Company’s represented employee groups increase the Company’s labor costs, which increase could have a material financial impact on July 1, 2015, subsequentthe Company.

See Notes 15 and 16 to the announcement of the CID, UAL and United were named as defendants in multiple class action lawsuits that asserted claims under the Sherman Antitrust Act, which have been consolidated in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaints generally allege collusion among U.S. airlines on capacity impacting airfares and seek treble damages. The Company intends to vigorously defend against the class action lawsuits.

As disclosedfinancial statements included in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Companyyear ended December 31, 2015 and certain of its currentNote 8 to the financial statements included in this report for additional information on labor negotiations and former executive officers and employees have received federal grand jury subpoenas requesting records and testimony related to certain individuals formerly associated with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and related operations of the Company and the Company is conducting an internal investigation in response. As previously announced, certain of the Company’s executives stepped down in connection with this internal investigation. The Company is cooperating with the government’s investigation, and has participated in discussions with representatives of the government. The Company cannot predict what action, if any, might be taken in the future by the government.costs.

ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

(a) None

(b) None

(c) The following table presents repurchases of UAL common stock made in the third quarter of fiscal year 2015:2016:

 

Period  Total number of
shares
purchased (a)
   Average price paid
per share (b)
   Total number of
shares purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs (a)
   Approximate dollar
value of shares that
may yet be purchased
under the plans or
programs (in millions) (a)
 

July 1, 2015 through July 31, 2015

   1,677,087       $55.43       1,677,087       $3,137    

August 1, 2015 through August 31, 2015

   1,521,605       56.82       1,521,605       3,051    

September 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015

   1,444,240       57.07       1,444,240       2,968    
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total

   4,642,932         4,642,932      

 

  

 

 

     

 

 

   
Period  Total number  of
shares
purchased (a)(b)
   Average price paid
per share (b)(c)
   Total number  of
shares purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs (a)
   Approximate dollar
value of shares that
may yet be purchased
under the plans or
programs (in millions) (a)
 

July 1, 2016 through July 31, 2016

   550,528       $47.26       550,528       $2,229    

August 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016

   2,574,396       47.22       2,574,396       2,107    

September 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016

   2,094,511       51.36       2,094,511       2,000    
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total

   5,219,435         5,219,435      

 

  

 

 

     

 

 

   

(a) In 2014, UAL’s Boardthe three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, UAL repurchased approximately 5 million and 48 million shares of Directors authorized a share repurchase programUAL common stock in open market transactions, respectively, for $255 million and $2.4 billion, respectively. The repurchases in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 were primarily pursuant to acquire up to $1 billion of UAL’s common stock. On July 21, 2015, UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a newthe Company’s previous $3 billion share repurchase program,authority, which is now exhausted.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company expectshad approximately $2 billion remaining to complete by December 31, 2017.purchase shares under its $2 billion share repurchase authority that was approved in July 2016. UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. UAL will repurchase shares of UAL common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time.

(b) The table does not include shares withheld from employees to satisfy certain tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock.stock units. The United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan provides for the withholding of shares to satisfy tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock.stock units. However, this plan does not specify a maximum number of shares that may be repurchased.withheld for this purpose. A total of 27,750380 shares were withheld under this plan in the third quarter of 20152016 at an average share price of $57.51.$45.52. These shares of common stock withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations may be deemed to be “issuer purchases” of shares that are required to be disclosed pursuant to this Item.

(b)(c) Average price paid per share is calculated on a settlement basis and excludes commission.

 

ITEM 6.EXHIBITS.

A list of exhibits included as part of this Form 10-Q is set forth in an Exhibit Index that immediately precedes the exhibits.

43


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. The signature for each undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company or its subsidiaries.

 

  United Continental Holdings, Inc.
  

(Registrant)

Date: October 22, 201517, 2016

  By: 

/s/ Gerald LadermanAndrew C. Levy

   Gerald LadermanAndrew C. Levy
   

SeniorExecutive Vice President Finance and acting Chief Financial Officer

   

(principal financial officer)

Date: October 22, 201517, 2016

  

By:

 

/s/ Chris Kenny

   Chris Kenny
   Vice President and Controller
   (principal accounting officer)
  

United Airlines, Inc.

  

(Registrant)

Date: October 22, 201517, 2016

  

By:

 

/s/ Gerald LadermanAndrew C. Levy

   Gerald LadermanAndrew C. Levy
   

SeniorExecutive Vice President Finance and acting Chief Financial Officer

   

(principal financial officer)

Date: October 22, 201517, 2016

  

By:

 

/s/ Chris Kenny

   

Chris Kenny

   

Vice President and Controller

   

(principal accounting officer)

44


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Registrant

  

Exhibit

10.1  

UAL

United

  Form of Stock Option Award Notice pursuant to the United Continental Holdings, Inc. Senior Officer Severance2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (effective October 1, 2014)
10.2  

UAL

United

  SERP Agreement, dated asForm of October 1, 2010, by and amongRestricted Stock Unit Award Notice pursuant to the United Continental Holdings, Inc., Continental Airlines, Inc. and Gerald Laderman
†10.3

UAL

United

Separation Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2015, by and among United Continental Holdings, Inc., United Airlines, Inc. and Jeffery A. Smisek (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to UAL’s Form 8-K filed September 8, 2015, Commission file number 1-6033, and incorporated herein by reference) 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan
  12.1  UAL  United Continental Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
  12.2  United  United Airlines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
  31.1  UAL  Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of United Continental Holdings, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  31.2  UAL  Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of United Continental Holdings, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  31.3  United  Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of United Airlines, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  31.4  United  Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of United Airlines, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  32.1  UAL  Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of United Continental Holdings, Inc. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  32.2  United  Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of United Airlines, Inc. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
101.1  

UAL

United

  XBRL Instance Document
101.2  

UAL

United

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.3  

UAL

United

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.4  

UAL

United

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.5  

UAL

United

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.6  

UAL

United

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. Pursuant to Item 601(b)(10), United and Continental are permitted to omit certain compensation-related exhibits from this report and therefore only UAL is identified as the registrant for purposes of those items.

 

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